Bill > AB1424

This bill addresses climate justice and safety protocols for incarcerated individuals in California correctional facilities by requiring the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to implement comprehensive measures to protect inmates from extreme weather events related to climate change. Specifically, the bill mandates that by December 1, 2026, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health must develop specialized safety standards for prison workers, including requirements for indoor temperature monitoring, heating and cooling infrastructure, emergency response protocols, and heat illness prevention. The CDCR must equip facilities with adequate cooling systems, install temperature monitoring sensors, add shade structures, allow increased fan access, and develop comprehensive emergency response and evacuation plans. The bill also requires annual staff training on heat-related illness prevention, regular medical assessments of inmates' heat-related risks, and the establishment of a working group to ensure ongoing maintenance and implementation of these climate resilience measures. Additionally, the bill allows inmates or their representatives to file grievances about unsafe conditions, and requires the department to submit annual reports to the Governor, Legislature, and Office of Emergency Services detailing progress in implementing these protective measures. The legislation acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on incarcerated populations, particularly people of color, and aims to ensure their health and safety during extreme weather events.

Budget and Finance, Justice, Labor and Employment

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1424