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CaliforniaSB 5532025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Prisons: clearances.

Sponsored By: Dave Cortese (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Fairer clearances for formerly incarcerated

The department uses one standard approval process for people who were formerly incarcerated. It cannot block applications just because of the institution or area, unless there is verified, credible evidence of contraband or a serious security risk. If an applicant is on parole, the parole division must provide needed documents within 14 calendar days. If an application is denied, the institution must send written reasons by mail or email. The department must tell applicants about their right to appeal. Appeals must be decided within 90 days, and applicants must be told the final decision within 90 days.

Five-year provider ID cards

Program providers use one statewide packet to apply for a provider ID card. A fingerprint check is required the first time, but no new prints are needed if the department already has them. Providers must complete baseline TB screening; hospital, military, UC, or local public health forms are accepted if they show the date, results, and a licensed signature. Cards are valid for five years if providers pass required testing, complete annual training, and renew their clearance each year. Cardholders may escort other authorized providers inside listed institutions. The department must decide applications within 30 days, or give an update if waiting on DOJ. There is no cap on how many cards a provider can hold. Experienced providers who have run programs for at least six months at more than three institutions may request an ID immediately when approved for new sites.

Quick prison access for officials

When they ask, the Governor and cabinet, legislators and legislative staff, and current California judges receive a short-term gate clearance for any prison. They do not need to apply for clearances across all facilities.

Simpler short-term prison access

Short-term gate clearance applicants do not need fingerprint checks. The department cannot cap how many short-term clearances a person gets. The department must notify applicants on the timing listed in its screening form.

Statewide prison access for providers

The department accepts statewide gate clearance applications from qualified program providers and legal professionals. A fingerprint background check is required, but no new prints are needed if the department already has them. Holders must renew the statewide clearance every year. Providers with this clearance may escort other authorized providers and may run programs without a sponsor. The department must decide statewide applications within 30 days.

One set of prison clearance forms

The law defines who is covered and the types of prison gate clearances. The department provides one standard form for short-term clearances and one standard packet for annual clearances. Institutions must use those forms and cannot add local paperwork.

State DOJ background check process

For annual, provider ID, and statewide clearances, the department sends fingerprints and related data to the state Department of Justice. The Department of Justice must return the state or federal background check response the department uses to make decisions.

Annual prison clearance rules

Annual gate clearance applicants must complete a fingerprint background check, but no new prints are required if prints are already on file. Applicants must start the application before fingerprinting. Holders must renew every year and must have a provider ID card or a sponsor. There is no cap on how many annual clearances a person can hold. The department must decide within 30 days, or give an update if DOJ data is pending and then decide within 30 days after it arrives.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dave Cortese

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 193 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/13/2025

Item 125 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 9/12/2025

Item 54 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 80 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/29/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 11 • No: 0

legislature vote • 6/17/2025

Vote in CX18

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/29/2025

Item 327 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 38 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 6 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/21/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 6 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/1/2025

Vote in CS72

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 226, Statutes of 2025.

    10/1/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/1/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

    9/23/2025legislature

  4. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 3024.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

    9/13/2025Senate

  5. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

    9/12/2025Senate

  6. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3393.) Ordered to the Senate.

    9/12/2025House

  7. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    9/3/2025House

  8. Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

    9/2/2025House

  9. From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 29).

    8/29/2025House

  10. July 9 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.

    7/9/2025House

  11. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    6/17/2025House

  12. Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

    6/5/2025House

  13. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

    5/29/2025House

  14. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 1327.) Ordered to the Assembly.

    5/29/2025Senate

  15. Ordered to special consent calendar.

    5/27/2025Senate

  16. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/23/2025Senate

  17. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1204.) (May 23).

    5/23/2025Senate

  18. Set for hearing May 23.

    5/16/2025Senate

  19. April 21 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

    4/21/2025Senate

  20. Set for hearing April 21.

    4/4/2025Senate

  21. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 612.) (April 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    4/1/2025Senate

  22. Set for hearing April 1.

    3/18/2025Senate

  23. Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

    3/5/2025Senate

  24. From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.

    2/21/2025Senate

  25. Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    2/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/1/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    9/18/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    9/2/2025

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  • Introduced

    2/20/2025

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