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AB 475

Prisons and jails: employment of inmates.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lori Wilson

AB 475 makes inmate labor voluntary, ending mandatory work after Jan 1, 2027 (with exceptions). CDCR sets prison pay; counties/cities set jail pay via local ordinances.

From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
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Bill Summary · AB 475

AB 475 (Wilson) — Prisons and jails: employment of inmates

Status: In committee — Held under submission (Assembly Appropriations). Introduced February 10, 2025.

Purpose

AB 475 changes California law governing inmate labor by removing the statutory requirement that able-bodied incarcerated people be required to work, and by establishing that prison work must be voluntary (with limited exceptions). It also reallocates authority to set compensation for inmate work between the state and local governments.

Key provisions

  • Rewrites Penal Code §2700 to:
    • Require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to develop a voluntary work program and promulgate rules and regulations for voluntary work assignments for individuals in CDCR facilities.
    • Prohibit CDCR from requiring incarcerated persons to work on or after January 1, 2027, except as provided in Section 2700.1 (the bill references that section for specified exceptions).
    • Require that any work performed after January 1, 2027 (except persons described in §2700.1) be through the voluntary program.
  • Compensation rules:
    • For state prisons: compensation for any work assignment shall be set by regulations promulgated by the Secretary of CDCR (expressly “notwithstanding any state law or local ordinance governing minimum wages”).
    • For county and city jail programs: compensation shall be set by local ordinance (also “notwithstanding any state law or local ordinance governing minimum wages”).
  • Other statutory language retained/clarified:
    • When a statute requires a price be fixed for services performed under the department’s work program, inmate compensation must be included as an item of cost.
    • Incarcerated persons doing productive labor outside Prison Industry Authority programs may be compensated similarly, with payment from legislative appropriations or other department-available funds as directed by the Director of Finance.
    • When an incarcerated person escapes, the Secretary will determine what portion of earnings is forfeited to the Inmate Welfare Fund.
  • State-mandated local program: because the bill requires local ordinances to set compensation for county/city jail programs, it creates a state-mandated local program. If the Commission on State Mandates finds costs are imposed on local agencies, reimbursement procedures under Government Code §17500 et seq. apply.

Who is affected

  • Incarcerated individuals in state prisons and in county/city jails: shifts work from mandatory to voluntary (subject to §2700.1 exceptions).
  • CDCR: must design and implement voluntary work program and issue regulations governing assignments and state prison compensation.
  • Counties and cities: must adopt local ordinances to set compensation for jail work programs; potential administrative and fiscal impacts.
  • Local taxpayers and budgets: potential costs if localities must change pay structures or adopt ordinances (subject to Commission on State Mandates determination).

Procedural / timeline highlights

  • Introduced: Feb 10, 2025.
  • Referred to Assembly Public Safety Committee (Feb–Mar 2025); amended March 10; reported out March 26 (do pass, re-referred to Appropriations).
  • April 23: Set for first hearing; referred to Appropriations suspense file.
  • May 23, 2025: Held under submission in Assembly Appropriations.

Fiscal and legal notes

  • Bill flagged for fiscal committee review (Fiscal Committee: YES). It contains no appropriation clause.
  • Because it alters local authority to set jail worker compensation, it triggers state-mandated-local program considerations; reimbursement depends on the Commission on State Mandates.
  • The text preserves exceptions referenced in §2700.1; readers should consult that section for specified circumstances where work may still be required.

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

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