California’s Assembly has passed
AB 2624, dubbed the
“Stop Nick Shirley Act”, by a vote of 57–19, moving it to the state Senate for further review before Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature
Yahoo.
Purpose and Scope
The bill expands California’s
Safe At Home program to include
immigrant service providers—such as NGOs, nonprofits, and healthcare facilities offering legal, case management, or health services to immigrants. It would:
- Allow participants to use a substitute mailing address from the secretary of state, shielding their home, work, and school addresses from public records.
- Prohibit posting photos, personal data, or images of these providers, their employees, or volunteers online if done with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or incite violence Yahoo+1.
- Enable participants to keep their real addresses private while still receiving mail and legal documents Yahoo.
Background
The bill was introduced by
Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), wife of California’s attorney general, less than two months after independent journalist
Nick Shirley went viral for exposing alleged fraud in Minnesota’s tax-funded daycares and later in California’s tax-funded hospices
Yahoo+1. Shirley’s undercover videos, which went viral on X, have drawn both praise for exposing fraud and criticism for potentially violating the new law.
Key Provisions
- Protected groups: Immigrant service providers, their employees, and volunteers.
- Penalties: Fines up to three times actual damages, but no less than $4,000 for violations Deseret News+1.
- Enforcement: The California secretary of state would oversee the program and issue substitute addresses.
Controversy
Critics, including Republican Assemblymember
Carl DeMaio, argue the law could
criminalize investigative journalism. They claim it would make it illegal to post evidence—such as a business card or video—of fraudulent services, even if the evidence is obtained legally
The Daily Signal+1. Opponents warn it could stifle public scrutiny of taxpayer-funded organizations and violate First Amendment rights.
Supporters, however, say the law is necessary to protect vulnerable workers from
online harassment, doxxing, and threats, especially in immigration-related services where staff face targeted attacks
Yahoo+1.
Next Steps
If the Senate approves AB 2624, it will be sent to Gov. Newsom for signature. Once enacted, the law would apply statewide, potentially impacting both immigrant service workers and journalists investigating fraud in California.
dallasexpress.com
