The California State Senate voted unanimously (29-0) to approve AB 2296 on Monday, August 25. The bill provides protection for “academic researchers” by making it a misdemeanor to publish information about researchers or their families with the intent of such information being used to commit a crime. The legislation also makes it a trespass offense to enter the property of a researcher with the intent of interfering with the researcher’s academic freedom. AB 2296 was introduced in response to the recent escalation of violence at the University of California’s campuses.