KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to California

AB-2286 • 2026

Criminal procedure: attorney visits: medical settings.

Criminal procedure: attorney visits: medical settings.

Crime Healthcare
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Bryan
Last action
2026-04-16
Official status
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on how the penalties are applied, leaving some uncertainty about enforcement mechanisms.

Attorney Visits to Prisoners in Medical Settings

This law clarifies that prisoners in hospitals or medical care can have visits from their lawyers and makes technical changes to existing laws.

What This Bill Does

  • Clarifies that officers must allow attorneys to visit prisoners in medical settings.
  • Makes technical changes to existing laws about attorney visits.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Prisoners in medical settings
  • Lawyers representing prisoners
  • Officers responsible for prisoners

Terms To Know

Technical changes
Small adjustments made to improve clarity and consistency in laws without changing their main purpose.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if a prisoner is moved between medical settings and jails or prisons.
  • It's unclear how the penalties for officers will be enforced in different locations.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-16 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  2. 2026-04-16 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 68. Noes 0.)

  3. 2026-04-09 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

  4. 2026-04-08 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 7).

  5. 2026-03-09 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  6. 2026-02-20 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.

  7. 2026-02-19 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2286, as introduced, Bryan.
Criminal procedure: attorney visits: medical settings.
Existing law requires a person arrested to be taken before a magistrate without delay and, in any event, within 48 hours after arrest, not including weekends and holidays, as specified. Existing law allows an attorney to visit a prisoner after their arrest, as specified. Under existing law, an officer in charge of the prisoner who willfully refuses or neglects to allow an attorney to visit that prisoner is liable for criminal and civil penalties, as provided.
This bill would clarify that the above provisions regarding criminal and civil penalties for officers apply if a prisoner is in a jail, prison, or a medical setting. The bill would make other technical changes, as provided.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF