California Assembly Passes 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' Legislation

<p>On May 27, 2026, the California State Assembly passed legislation known as the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' with a vote of 57-19, primarily supported by Democratic lawmakers. The bill was authored by Democrat Mia Bonta, who is married to California Attorney General Rob Bonta.</p><p>The legislation was introduced amid ongoing investigations into government fraud, including those conducted by independent journalist Nick Shirley. Shirley's investigations have focused on issues of misappropriation in California and Minnesota, while other reports have highlighted Medicaid fraud in Ohio.</p><p>The bill, AB 2624, has faced criticism from Republican lawmakers who argue that its provisions could hinder journalistic efforts by restricting the sharing of addresses related to immigration service providers. Michael Rothman, an engineer and writer, expressed concerns that the bill could expose journalists to legal action for reporting on fraud cases.</p><p>In response to the criticism, Bonta's office stated that the bill aims to protect immigration workers from threats and harassment. Bonta noted that the bill is designed to offer protections similar to those available to domestic violence survivors and certain healthcare workers.</p><p>Amendments to the bill have been made to clarify that reporting will only be criminalized if the intent is to incite imminent harm. The bill is now awaiting consideration by the California Senate.</p>