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AB 2267

State bridges and overpasses: suicide prevention.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Garcia and 2 co-sponsors

Caltrans will provide preapproved suicide-prevention barrier designs and updated guidance for state highway bridges/overpasses to help localities install consistent, effective dete

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 20). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
#statebridgesandoverpasses #suicideprevention
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 2267

Summary: AB 2267 (2025-2026) – State Bridges and Overpasses: Suicide Prevention

Purpose and Intent

AB 2267 seeks to advance suicide prevention efforts on California’s state highway bridges and overpasses. Building on prior requirements, the bill would require the Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in coordination with the State Department of Public Health and impacted local governments, to expand guidance and provide preapproved safety-barrier designs for suicide prevention installations. The overarching goal is to deter suicides at bridges and overpasses within the state highway system through standardized design options and guidance.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Guidance updates (by July 1, 2028):

    • Caltrans, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health and in coordination with affected local governments, must incorporate suicide deterrent considerations into updates of applicable guidance documents.
    • These considerations cover countermeasures to deter suicide attempts on bridges and overpasses, including design, placement, and modification of barriers, fencing, and other infrastructure.

  • Preapproved barrier designs (by July 1, 2029):

    • Caltrans must develop and maintain a set of preapproved suicide-prevention safety-barrier designs that local governments may use when installing suicide prevention barriers.
    • The intent is to streamline local installation by providing ready-to-use, preapproved design options.

  • Scope of guidance (subsection a, paragraph 2):

    • The suicide deterrent considerations are to include evaluation and adoption of guidance for countermeasures on the statewide highway system, with emphasis on barriers, fencing, and related infrastructure.

  • Non-mandatory nature (subsection b):

    • The bill clarifies that these provisions do not create a mandatory duty under Government Code Section 815.6.

Who and What Would Be Affected

  • State agency:

    • Caltrans would be responsible for updating guidance and developing preapproved barrier designs.

  • Public health partner:

    • State Department of Public Health would collaborate in developing guidance and evaluating deterrent measures.

  • Local governments:

    • Local agencies responsible for implementing barrier projects on state routes would be able to utilize preapproved designs and guidance, facilitating local installations.

  • Infrastructure considered:

    • Bridges and overpasses on the state highway system, including barriers, fencing, and other safety features intended to deter suicides.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Guidance updates deadline: July 1, 2028.
  • Preapproved designs deadline: July 1, 2029.
  • Legal status: Amends Section 92.7 of the Streets and Highways Code.
  • Fiscal impact: No appropriation is requested in the bill (non-gen/targeted funding not specified); a Fiscal Committee review is noted, but no explicit funding allocation is provided in the text.
  • Authority and duties: The bill does not impose a mandatory duty on agencies beyond guidance updates and design provisions.

Practical Implications

  • Localities would have clearer, ready-to-use design options for installing suicide-prevention barriers, potentially speeding up project development and consistency across jurisdictions.
  • Standardized designs may help ensure safety features meet established criteria and are consistent with public health best practices.
  • The approach emphasizes collaboration among Caltrans, the Public Health Department, and local governments, aligning engineering and health considerations.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or a simplified Q&A for stakeholders (local government engineers, public health officials, and advocacy groups).

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

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