CaliforniaCalifornia's signed bill would require prison officials to set sports policy
The signed bill would require California prison officials to set an organized sports policy by January 1, 2028, after consulting staff, experts, and affected groups.
What it does
The signed bill would require California's prison department to set an organized sports policy by January 1, 2028, after consulting staff and affected groups. The requirement expires January 1, 2036.
The signed bill would set up a fund that could receive donations for prison sports. Prison officials could spend its money only if lawmakers approve spending in the annual budget. These rules expire January 1, 2036.
The signed bill would let prison officials make agreements with sports teams, colleges, or other groups to expand organized sports at state prisons. This authority expires January 1, 2036.
Argument forA clear policy and possible partnerships could give more people in state prisons a chance to play organized sports.
Argument againstIf sports programs grow, they could compete for prison space and raise safety concerns for incarcerated people and staff.
More detail
Under the signed bill, California's prison department must set an organized sports policy. The policy concerns organized sports for people held in prisons the department runs. The department must consult staff, sports and rehabilitation experts, and groups representing incarcerated people and their families. It must consider safety, who may participate, and how prison facilities affect access. The department must set the policy on or before January 1, 2028. The chapter expires on January 1, 2036.
The signed bill would set up a state fund to expand organized sports in prisons. The money is for expanding organized sports at prisons the department runs. Lawmakers must approve spending in the annual budget before the department can use the money. The fund may receive money from any source, including private donations. Its money must add to existing sports funding. No more than 5% of approved money may cover administrative costs. The chapter containing the fund rules expires on January 1, 2036.
The department may seek proposals and make agreements with public or private groups. The agreements must aim to expand organized sports at prisons the department runs. This authority expires on January 1, 2036.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 925, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 15Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 31Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 7006.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 2204 Gabriel Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB2204 Gabriel et al. By Becker. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 31In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 31Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 25Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 24Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 24Joint Rule 61(b)(16) suspended.
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Major
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 24From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 23
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 11From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.Major
- Jun 10Referred to Com. on PUB. S.Minor
- May 28In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 2204 Gabriel Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 5493.)Passed Assembly
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 5030.)
- May 13In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 8From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 7
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 17Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.Minor
- Mar 16From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 16Referred to Com. on PUB. S.Minor
- Feb 20From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
- Feb 19Read first time. To print.Introduced
Criminal Justice