Prisons: clearances.

Senator Cortese's prison access legislation revises California's institutional clearance system, extending eligibility to legal professionals while standardizing entry procedures across state correctional facilities. The bill establishes three tiers of access credentials: short-term gate clearances valid for up to 30 days, annual gate clearances for single-facility access, and statewide clearances for individuals requiring routine entry to multiple institutions.

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation must now provide standardized application forms that institutions must use exclusively, eliminating facility-specific requirements. Program providers seeking annual or statewide clearances undergo fingerprint-based background checks, while short-term clearance applicants are exempt from this requirement. The legislation mandates 30-day response windows for clearance decisions and establishes a 90-day timeline for appeals.

The measure creates an expedited entry process for specific officials, including the Governor, cabinet members, legislators and their staff, and state judges, who may obtain short-term clearances upon request without formal applications. It also codifies procedures for formerly incarcerated applicants, requiring written explanations for denials and establishing appeal rights. Program provider identification cards, valid for five years with annual renewal requirements, allow holders to escort other authorized providers within approved facilities.