Enrolled  August 29, 2022
Passed  IN  Senate  May 26, 2022
Passed  IN  Assembly  August 24, 2022
Amended  IN  Senate  May 19, 2022
Amended  IN  Senate  March 16, 2022

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 1371

Introduced by Senator Bradford

February 18, 2022

An act to add Section 2700.5 to the Penal Code, relating to incarcerated persons.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 1371, Bradford. Incarcerated persons: wages.
Existing law authorizes the employment of incarcerated persons in various capacities and authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Prison Industry Authority to adopt and maintain a compensation schedule for incarcerated persons who are employees, as specified.
This bill would require the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to adopt a 5-year implementation schedule to increase the compensation for incarcerated persons engaged in work programs under the jurisdiction of the department. The bill would specify that the increase in compensation is required to adequately allow an incarcerated person to, among other things, afford quarterly packages, purchase educational materials, and maintain family connections, as specified.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 2700.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read:

2700.5.
 (a) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall adopt a five-year implementation schedule to increase the compensation for incarcerated persons engaged in work programs under the jurisdiction of the department.
(b) The increase in compensation shall allow an incarcerated individual to do all of the following:
(1) Afford quarterly packages.
(2) Maintain family connections, including, but not limited to, the ability to purchase envelopes, stamps, writing paper and writing instruments, and the ability to afford phone calls.
(3) Purchase educational materials.