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AB-701 • 2026

Corrections: solitary confinement.

Corrections: solitary confinement.

Budget Crime Education
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Ortega
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's implementation is contingent upon appropriation by the Legislature.

Study on Solitary Confinement in California

This law requires a study on solitary confinement in all detention facilities in California, including data collection and reporting to the government.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Justice to conduct a one-time comprehensive study on the use of solitary confinement in all detention facilities in California upon appropriation by the Legislature.
  • Specifies that the study must include details about each instance of solitary confinement from January to September 2026, including start and end times, facility location, and reasons for solitary confinement.
  • Requires detention facilities to report required data to the Department of Justice.
  • Requires monthly updates and a final report by November 1, 2026, to be given to the Legislature and Governor.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Detention facilities in California
  • The Department of Justice, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Board of State and Community Corrections

Terms To Know

solitary confinement
A form of punishment where a person is kept alone in a cell for long periods.
state-mandated local program
A program that requires local agencies to follow state rules and may need funding from the state.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill needs money from the Legislature to start.
  • Local detention facilities will have more work to do, which might cost them money.
  • If there are costs for local agencies because of this law, the state must pay back those costs.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Held under submission.

  4. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.

  5. 2025-03-26 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  6. 2025-03-03 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  7. 2025-02-15 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 17.

  8. 2025-02-14 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 701, as introduced, Ortega.
Corrections: solitary confinement.
Existing law provides the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation with jurisdiction over the state prison, as specified. Existing law states that it is unlawful to use any cruel, corporal, or unusual punishment or to inflict any treatment or allow any lack of care that would injure or impair the health of a prisoner, inmate, or person confined.
This bill would, upon appropriation by the Legislature, require the Department of Justice, in collaboration with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Board of State and Community Corrections, to conduct a one-time comprehensive study on the use of solitary confinement in all detention facilities in California. The bill would require the study to include specified data about each instance of solitary confinement during the first 9 months of the year of 2026, including, among other
data, the time and date solitary confinement began and ended, the facility in which it occurred, and the stated basis for the solitary confinement. The bill would require detention facilities to report the required data to the department. By increasing duties on local detention facilities, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Department of Justice to provide monthly data to the Legislature, and a final report to the Legislature and the Governor, by November 1, 2026, as specified.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant
to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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