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AB 802

Juvenile justice commission: hunger survey.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by LaShae Sharp-Collins

Requires regular hunger surveys for confined youth and publishes results; uses findings to push county policy changes to ensure adequate food and nutrition.

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 802

AB 802 (Sharp-Collins): Juvenile justice commission — hunger survey

Summary prepared for readers seeking a clear understanding of the bill’s purpose, provisions, and potential impact.

Purpose and intent

  • To prevent and address hunger among youth confined in county juvenile facilities by systematically assessing their nutritional needs and using the findings to inform policy changes.
  • To increase transparency about hunger and nutrition in county confinement settings, and to ensure counties take action when hunger is identified.

What the bill would do

  • Require, at least once every 24 months, a survey of youth under 26 confined in county juvenile halls, camps, and other confinement facilities.
  • The survey would be administered by the Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) or in partnership with a local community-based organization.
  • The survey topics would include:
    • Whether youth are chronically or often hungry
    • Regular access to food between meals
    • Adequate time for meals
    • Quality of the food provided
  • If survey results show frequent hunger, the JJC must make policy recommendations to address hunger at the county level, with specific considerations (see Key Provisions).

Key provisions and requirements

  • Survey administration: Every 24 months; entity: JJC or in collaboration with a local community-based organization.
  • Population: Youth under 26 confined in county juvenile halls, camps, and other confinement facilities.
  • Reporting and transparency:
    • Survey results and any recommendations published on the JJC’s website.
    • Descriptions of remedial or corrective actions by the county published on the county probation department’s website.
  • Policy considerations when making recommendations:
    • Calorie counts alone are not sufficient to address hunger and nutrition.
    • Active youth (e.g., those preparing for or engaged in rigorous activities) may need additional healthy food.
    • The costs of addressing hunger (meals, snacks, and necessary food) are the responsibility of the county; youth and families should not bear these costs.
  • Funding and mandate:
    • Establishes a state-mandated local program.
    • If the Commission on State Mandates determines costs are mandated by the state, local reimbursement provisions would apply.

Who is affected

  • County juvenile justice commissions (or regional equivalents) and county probation departments.
  • Confined youth in county facilities.
  • Local communities and organizations that partner with the JJC on survey administration.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • No explicit appropriation is listed in the bill; it creates a local program with potential reimbursements if mandated costs are identified by the Commission on State Mandates under Government Code Part 7.
  • Status: In committee, Held under submission (as of May 23, 2025).
  • Legislative history (highlights):
    • Referred to Public Safety (March 10, 2025)
    • Do pass and re-refer to Appropriations with recommendation (April 2, 2025)
    • First hearing set; suspense file in Appropriations (April 9, 2025)
    • In committee: Held under submission (May 23, 2025)

Practical impact and considerations

  • If enacted, counties would need to implement or expand data collection on hunger in juvenile facilities and publicly disclose results and remedial actions.
  • Could prompt policy changes to ensure adequate nourishment, scheduling, and food quality for confined youth.
  • May require staffing, data systems, and inter-agency coordination between JJC and county probation departments.

This summary captures the bill’s core objectives, concrete provisions, affected parties, and procedural trajectory.

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

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