The "No Cussing Resolution" was intended to encourage Californians to give up swearing temporarily.
The measure was approved by the state Assembly last week and would have established a "Cuss Free Week" if the Senate had approved it.
Instead, the Senate rerouted the resolution to the Senate Rules Committee.
There, it will sit until lawmakers address the state's $20 billion budget deficit.
Supporters of the measure blasted the Senate saying that the lawmakers' failure to act sends the wrong message to Californians.
"This is basically saying to people, especially kids, 'We don't care what you do,'" said Pasadena resident Brent Hatch.
Hatch's 16-year-old son McKay inspired the bill through his international campaign against profanity.
McKay Hatch started a "No Cussing Club" at his junior high school in 2007, and similar clubs have since cropped up in every state and 20 countries.
AP contributed to this report.
