A federal appeals court in San Francisco is set to hear arguments Tuesday in a case challenging a California labor law that restricts mandatory workplace meetings involving political or religious topics. The lawsuit, filed by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of the California Policy Center, c hallenges SB 399, the California Worker Freedom From Employer Intimidation Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2024. The California Policy Center filed the original lawsuit last year, arguing the law violates employers’ First Amendment rights by prohibiting employers from requiring workers to attend meetings where political or religious matters are discussed. A lower court dismissed the case in June of last year. The Liberty Justice Center is now asking the appellate court to revive the lawsuit, arguing the lower court’s decision should be reversed because the law imposes an unconstitutional content-based restriction on employers’ speech. California argues the law does not violate the First Amendment. The state says employers may still express their views on politics, religion or unions, but they cannot retaliate against employees who choose not to attend those meetings. Arguments are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in San Francisco. ...read more read less