AB-2642 • 2026

Prisons: employment of inmates.

Children Crime

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Elhawary
Last action: 2026-02-21
Official status: From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide specific details on which parts of the law are being changed, only that they are technical and nonsubstantive.

Prison Work Rules

The bill makes minor adjustments to the existing law regarding prison work requirements for able-bodied inmates without altering their meaning or impact.

What This Bill Does

Makes technical, nonsubstantive changes to the current law about prison work rules.

Who It Names or Affects

Able-bodied prisoners in state prisons
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Terms To Know

able-bodied prisoner: A prisoner who is healthy enough to work
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: The state agency that runs prisons and helps inmates after they leave prison

Limits and Unknowns

Does not change the number of hours prisoners must work each day.
Only makes small changes to how the rule is written, not what it means.

Bill History

2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2642, as introduced, Elhawary.
Prisons: employment of inmates.
Existing law requires every able-bodied prisoner imprisoned in a state prison to work as many hours of faithful labor in each day and every day during their term of imprisonment as prescribed by the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in departmental rules and regulations.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF