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AB-2223 • 2026

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: state contracts.

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: state contracts.

Crime Housing Labor
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Lowenthal
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify penalties for non-compliance with disclosure requirements or details on how the annual report will be used by the Legislature.

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: State Contracts

This law requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to disclose information about new contracts or contract renewals involving civil service employees, including details on services provided, hours worked, and total value.

What This Bill Does

  • States that the Legislature wants laws about CDCR disclosing state contracts.
  • Requires CDCR to share specific details about new contracts or renewals for services performed by civil service workers after January 1, 2027.
  • Specifies that CDCR must give this information to the union representing affected workers when a contract is made or renewed.
  • Needs CDCR to send an annual report starting March 1, 2028, with details about contracts involving civil service employees.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
  • Civil service employees working for CDCR
  • Unions representing workers affected by these contracts

Terms To Know

civil service employees
Workers in government jobs who are hired based on merit through a competitive process.
exclusive bargaining representative
The union or organization that represents workers for negotiating terms and conditions of employment.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if CDCR does not follow the disclosure requirements.
  • Does not provide details on how the annual report will be used by the Legislature.
  • Does not include information about contracts before January 1, 2027.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  2. 2026-03-23 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on P. E. & R.

  3. 2026-03-19 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. E. & R. Read second time and amended.

  4. 2026-03-19 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on P. E. & R.

  5. 2026-02-20 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.

  6. 2026-02-19 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2223, as amended, Lowenthal.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: state contracts.
Existing law establishes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to administer the state prison system under the direction of the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Existing law authorizes the secretary to, under certain circumstances, enter into contracts to provide housing, sustenance, supervision, and services, as provided, or to provide health care services.
This bill would
state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to the disclosure of state contracts by CDCR.
require CDCR to disclose, for each new contract or contract renewal entered into by CDCR on or after January 1, 2027, for services that are performed
by civil service employees, specified information, including, but not limited to, a description of the services provided by the contracted party, the total hours expected to be worked by contracted workers, and the total contract value. The bill would require CDCR to provide this disclosure to the exclusive bargaining representative of the affected bargaining unit at the time CDCR enters into or renews a contract as described above. The bill would require CDCR, beginning on March 1, 2028, and on or before March 1 of each year thereafter, to submit an annual report to the Legislature that contains the information required to be disclosed pursuant to these provisions. The bill would make related findings and declarations.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF