Gavin Newsom signs controversial Stop Nick Shirley Act into law

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2624, dubbed the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act,' expanding the state's Safe at Home address-protection program to immigration-service workers. While supporters argue the law protects workers from harassment and doxxing, critics and Republicans contend it violates the First Amendment by shielding government-funded programs from journalistic scrutiny. Opponents are seeking federal intervention and planning legal challenges before the law takes effect on October 1, 2027.

AB 2624 signing

• ▪California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2624 into law on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
• ▪Assembly Bill 2624 is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2027.
• ▪Assembly Bill 2624 was introduced in February 2026 by Democratic California State Assemblymember Mia Bonta.

First Amendment concerns

• ▪Critics and California Republicans argue that Assembly Bill 2624 could hinder journalists and investigators from holding the government accountable and violates the First Amendment.
• ▪California Senator Tony Strickland stated that the vague language of Assembly Bill 2624 shuts down speech and freedom of the press.
• ▪William A. Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project, argued that Assembly Bill 2624 is designed to shut down journalistic exposure of public service fraud.

Nick Shirley investigative journalism

• ▪Nick Shirley is a conservative citizen journalist and YouTuber known for videos investigating government-funded programs and confronting workers at immigration facilities.
• ▪Nick Shirley has criticized Assembly Bill 2624, claiming it was created in response to his videos exposing widespread fraud in immigrant communities.
• ▪California Governor Gavin Newsom's office and Assemblymember Mia Bonta stated that Assembly Bill 2624 is not aimed at Nick Shirley or investigative journalism.

Republican legal challenges

• ▪Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio stated that he is asking the United States Department of Justice to intervene and block Assembly Bill 2624.
• ▪California Senator Tony Strickland stated that his team is exploring a potential legal challenge to Assembly Bill 2624 in federal court.

Terry Schanz Capitol incident

• ▪On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Terry Schanz, chief of staff to Democratic Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, interrupted a sidewalk interview being conducted by Nick Shirley outside the California State Capitol.
• ▪Multiple complaints have been filed with the California Legislature's human resources department regarding Terry Schanz's confrontation with Nick Shirley.

Safe at Home expansion

• ▪California's Safe at Home program provides substitute mailing addresses to protect vulnerable individuals, including domestic violence survivors, elder abuse victims, and reproductive health care workers.
• ▪Assembly Bill 2624 expands California's Safe at Home address-protection program to include employees of nonprofit organizations that serve people navigating the immigration system.

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