Corrections: Humanizing and Uniting Generations Safely

Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Mark González (A) , Bryan
Last action: 2026-04-08
Official status: In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on the types of non-sexual touching allowed.

Humanizing and Uniting Generations Safely (HUGS) Act

This act requires prison rules to consider the value of physical contact during visits between incarcerated people and their visitors, while still maintaining safety.

What This Bill Does

Requires prison rules to recognize that visitation with physical touch helps keep prisons safe and maintains family connections.
Prohibits the Department from unreasonably stopping non-sexual touching between visitors and incarcerated persons during visits.

Who It Names or Affects

Incarcerated people
Visitors to prisons

Terms To Know

Incarcerated person: A person who is in prison as a result of being found guilty of a crime.
Nonsexual physical contact: Touching that does not involve sexual activity, such as hugging or holding hands.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what types of non-sexual touching are allowed.
It is unclear how the Department will decide if restrictions on physical contact are reasonable.

Bill History

2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-03-05 California Legislative Information
Introduced measure version corrected.
2026-03-04 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 3). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-04 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-02-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-01-28 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 27.
2026-01-27 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1645, as introduced, Mark González.
Corrections: Humanizing and Uniting Generations Safely (HUGS) Act of 2026.
Existing law authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to prescribe and amend rules and regulations for the administration of prisons and requires regulations, which are adopted by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, to recognize and consider the value of incarcerated person visitation as a means of increasing safety in prisons, maintaining family and community connections, and preparing incarcerated persons for successful release and rehabilitation. Existing regulations create the framework for establishing a visitation process in prisons that is conducted in as accommodating a manner as possible, subject to the need to maintain order, the safety of persons, the security of institutions and facilities, and required prison activities and operations.
This bill, the Humanizing and Uniting Generations
Safely (HUGS) Act of 2026, would additionally require those regulations pertaining to incarcerated person visits to recognize and consider the importance of physical contact in incarcerated person visitation. The bill would prohibit the department from unreasonably restricting the ability of incarcerated persons or their visitors to engage in certain types of nonsexual physical contact throughout the visit, as provided.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF