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

ACA-6 • 2026

Slavery.

Slavery.

Crime
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Wilson
Last action
2025-02-07
Official status
From printer. May be heard in committee March 9.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms or consequences for violations, nor does it specify if there will be changes to existing prison work programs.

Slavery Prohibition

This law changes California's Constitution to ban slavery in all forms, but it does not affect the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's ability to give credits to prisoners who volunteer for work.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the California Constitution to prohibit slavery in all forms.
  • Clarifies that this change does not prevent the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from awarding credits to incarcerated individuals who voluntarily accept work assignments.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People in California
  • The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Terms To Know

Involuntary servitude
Being forced to work against your will, except when it is part of a punishment for breaking the law.
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The government agency that manages prisons and helps people who have been in prison to rejoin society.

Limits and Unknowns

  • It does not specify how this change will be enforced or what the consequences are for breaking it.
  • There is no information on whether existing laws about work programs in prisons will be changed.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-07 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 9.

  2. 2025-02-06 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

ACA 6, as introduced, Wilson.
Slavery.
The California Constitution prohibits slavery and prohibits involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
This measure would instead prohibit slavery in all forms. This measure would clarify that its provisions do not prohibit the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from awarding credits to an incarcerated person who voluntarily accepts a work assignment.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF