AB-1645 • 2026

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: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify the exact types of physical contact allowed, nor does it explicitly state that visitation with physical touch helps keep prisons safe and prepares inmates for release.

Humanizing and Uniting Generations Safely (HUGS) Act

This act requires prison regulations to recognize the value of physical contact during visits between incarcerated people and their visitors, while prohibiting unreasonable restrictions on such contact.

What This Bill Does

Requires prison rules to consider the importance of physical contact in visitation for incarcerated individuals.
Prohibits prisons from unreasonably stopping non-sexual touching between visitors and incarcerated individuals 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.
Physical contact: Touching each other, like hugging or shaking hands.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what types of physical contact are allowed.
It is unclear how prisons will balance safety and security with the new rules on visitation.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-05-22 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-22 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 2.)
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 1.) (May 14).
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