Corrections.

Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez's corrections reform legislation mandates comprehensive climate resilience measures in California state prisons, requiring the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to implement facility-wide temperature control systems and emergency protocols by 2026.

The bill directs the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to develop prison-specific workplace safety regulations addressing temperature limits, ventilation standards, and heat illness prevention. CDCR facilities must install continuous temperature monitoring systems, add shade structures to all yards, and ensure adequate cooling throughout living quarters, work areas, and recreational spaces. The department must also establish protocols for air quality monitoring during wildfires and create facility-specific evacuation plans for extreme weather events.

A multi-stakeholder working group, including community organizations and the Office of the Inspector General, will oversee implementation of the new requirements. The legislation requires CDCR to conduct annual staff training on heat illness prevention and management, while medical staff must regularly assess incarcerated individuals for heat-related health risks. Starting in 2027, CDCR must submit yearly reports to state leadership detailing progress on climate resilience measures, facility hazard incidents, and emergency response effectiveness.

The bill establishes a formal grievance process through which incarcerated individuals or their representatives can report unsafe conditions to the Office of the Inspector General. While the legislation creates new compliance requirements for state facilities, it specifies that no local agency reimbursement is required as the changes relate to criminal statute modifications rather than funded mandates.