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AB 2499

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2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Gipson and 2 co-sponsors

AB 2499 requires CDCR to implement climate resilience and worker heat-safety standards in prisons, including mandatory heat monitoring, cooling measures, and data-driven relief pro

Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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Bill Summary · AB 2499

Summary of AB 2499 (2025-2026) – California Corrections: Prison Conditions

Purpose and intent
- AB 2499, introduced by Assembly Member Gipson, seeks to reform prison conditions in California with a dual focus on worker safety and climate resilience for incarcerated individuals.
- The bill is framed as Adrienne’s Act and also establishes climate-related standards for correctional facilities to address extreme weather, heat risk, and related health concerns.

Key provisions and changes
- Labor Code rulemaking (Section 6720.1):
- By July 1, 2027, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) must submit a proposal to adopt regulations specifically applicable to workers in prisons or other CDCR institutions.
- Regulations should align with Penal Code Chapter 19 standards and, where appropriate, build on existing indoor heat illness standards from Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.
- Protections target indoor heat exposure (85°F in general work areas; 80°F indoors with restrictive clothing or high radiant heat) and require policies for monitoring indoor temperatures, inspections, incident investigations, emergency responses, hydration, medical intervention, training, recordkeeping, and annual reporting.
- CDCR must implement and comply with these regulations, subject to existing resources or additional appropriations.

  • Climate Justice in Prisons Emergency Response Act (Penal Code Chapter 19, added by AB 2499):

    • Creates a comprehensive climate resilience framework for prisons, including:
    • Issuance of appropriate climate-specific clothing (e.g., shorts in summer) and expanded shade structures for hot areas.
    • Interim relief measures during excessive heat or wildfire smoke, such as increased showers and access to fans (fans not counted as appliances).
    • Data-driven triggers for relief measures using sensors; medical staff to monitor and respond to heat-related illnesses; mandatory health assessments for high-risk individuals.
    • By April 1, 2027: minimum interim relief standards (potable water, ice, cooling spaces, workload modifications, stop-work orders).
    • By May 1, 2027: formation of a working group including community-based organizations, safety officials, an incarcerated person advisory council, and CDCR leadership.
    • By July 1, 2027: annual staff training on heat illness prevention and emergency response.
    • By July 1, 2027: air quality monitoring during wildfire and smoke events; identify and prioritize air filtration improvements.
    • A Temperature Monitoring and Data Transparency Pilot Program in at least three prisons representing distinct climate zones (beginning by 2027) to monitor temperature, humidity, and PM2.5 where feasible; publish data weekly and quarterly; continuous QA and public reporting; no new cooling system construction under the pilot (funding separate).
    • Regular progress reporting to Governor, Legislature, and Office of Emergency Services; provide facility-by-facility temperature data to the public.
    • By January 1, 2028: deploy temperature monitoring protocols and prioritize pilot deployment.
    • By January 1, 2028: submit phased plan for climate resilience upgrades (HVAC, shading, filtration, etc.), including cost scenarios and a prioritization schedule; plan alignment with statewide analyses; budgeting subject to appropriation.
    • By July 1, 2028: implement colder-climate protocols (clothing/bedding) and complete prioritization for HVAC upgrades as appropriate.
    • By July 1, 2028: develop flood and storm preparedness plans, including evacuation and mutual-aid triggers.
    • By July 1, 2028: continue phased cooling upgrades in housing, work, and recreation spaces, prioritizing high-heat facilities.
    • Emergency planning: annual facility-level exercises and updated evacuation plans; sheltering considerations for vulnerable populations; informed by Office of Emergency Services guidance.

  • No new prison construction or opening required:

    • The act clarifies it should be implemented through improvements to existing facilities and, where necessary, through prison closures or deactivations as a cost-conscious strategy to meet climate and safety goals.

  • Oversight and evaluation:

    • Independent third-party evaluation of air-cooling pilots, including comparisons of temperature/humidity across spaces and lessons learned; results published to the Governor, Legislature, and public.

Affected entities
- Primary: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and its inmates/workers.
- Regulatory: California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.
- Oversight: Office of the Inspector General; relevant legislative policy and budget committees; Governor and Emergency Services Office.
- External partners: Community-based organizations, incarcerated-person advisory councils, universities, and research institutions.

Timeline and procedure
- Rulemaking proposal due by July 1, 2027.
- Interim and pilot program provisions run through 2027-2028 with phased plan requirements by January 2028.
- Ongoing reporting and data transparency beginning around 2027-2028, with annual updates and public data releases.

Impact considerations
- Expands state crime definitions and imposes local program costs (potential state-mandated local costs).
- Emphasizes climate resilience investments and potential facility closures as cost-control strategies.
- Aims to reduce heat- and climate-related health risks for incarcerated people and workers, while increasing transparency and regulatory compliance within CDCR facilities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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