California Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan has introduced AB 2664, the “Safe Worship Zone” bill, which aims to create a 100-foot buffer zone around religious institutions, prohibiting protesters from approaching congregants within 8 feet without consent. The bill, supported by Jewish California and other groups, responds to rising antisemitism and protests outside synagogues, such as those in Los Angeles, with proponents citing concerns that many Jewish Americans do not feel safe attending religious services.

Similar legislative efforts are underway in New York, though debates continue over balancing protest rights with religious access. While some courts have upheld buffer zones, civil liberties advocates warn about potential First Amendment violations. Law enforcement agencies have also expressed concerns about large buffer zones hindering their ability to manage security. At the federal level, authorities are considering applying the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, traditionally used to protect abortion clinics, to address protests at synagogues.