Corrections: Humanizing and Uniting Generations Safely Act of 2026

The law requires visitation rules to account for the value of physical contact in maintaining family connections, rehabilitation, and prison safety. It also limits punishment for minor contact-rule violations without a warning and chance to stop.

What the law does ​

• Requires California prison visitation regulations to recognize the importance of nonsexual physical contact.
• Bars regulations from being excessive, unnecessarily punitive, or unreasonably restrictive of nonsexual contact during visits.
• Identifies permitted examples, including holding or feeding minor children, handholding, linking arms, brief face or hair touching, side-by-side contact, and limited hugs and kisses.
• Requires staff to give a clear verbal warning and a reasonable immediate opportunity to correct alleged minor inappropriate-contact violations before ending a visit or imposing discipline.
• Preserves the department’s authority to search, supervise visits, and restrict conduct needed to prevent contraband.

Who it affects ​

• People incarcerated in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities.
• Prison visitors, including minor children, family members, and loved ones.
• California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation staff who supervise visits and enforce visitation rules.

Context ​

The law does not authorize sexual or inappropriate contact and does not prevent restrictions needed to maintain security or stop contraband.