AB 1723: Crimes: local carceral facility visitation.

Existing law prescribes incarceration in the state prison as punishment for certain crimes. Existing law makes it a felony for a convicted felon who has been previously confined in a state prison to go upon the grounds of or land adjacent to a state or local carceral facility, as specified, without the consent of the warden or other officer in charge of the facility.

This bill would require the Board of State and Community Corrections to, on or before January 1, 2025, adopt regulations that establish a uniform process to allow persons convicted of a felony who are employed by an organization that provides rehabilitative programming for or who are associated with an organization that provides mentorship to currently incarcerated individuals to go into a local carceral facility. The bill would provide that evidence of rehabilitation, as defined, is a basis to appeal a denial of entry by the sheriff or other administrator of the facility. By imposing additional duties on local carceral facilities, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.