California Assembly Bill AB2223

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/26
• Refer: 3/19/26
• Report Pass: 3/19/26
• Refer: 3/23/26
• Report Pass: 4/8/26
• Refer: 4/8/26
• Refer: 4/29/26
• Report Pass: 5/14/26
• Engrossed: 5/26/26
• Refer: 5/27/26
• Refer: 6/3/26
• Report Pass: 6/4/26
• Refer: 6/4/26

Caption

An act to add Section 5036 to the Penal Code, relating to corrections.

Summary

AB 2223 would add Section 5036 to the Penal Code to require the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to disclose detailed information about certain new contracts and contract renewals entered into on or after January 1, 2027. The disclosure requirement applies to contracts for services that are customarily and historically performed by civil service employees, as well as medical and mental health staffing. For each covered contract, CDCR would have to provide information such as the services being performed, contractor labor-law violations in the prior five years, worker classifications and qualifications, the corresponding state civil service classifications, bargaining units, staffing levels, expected hours, FTE value, hourly rates, contract value, fees, premium rates, and contract duration. The bill also requires CDCR to give this information to the exclusive bargaining representative of the affected bargaining unit or units when the contract is entered into or renewed. Beginning March 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, CDCR would have to submit a report to the Legislature containing the same information for all covered contracts in effect during the prior calendar year. The bill’s findings state that the purpose is to improve transparency, fiscal accountability, workforce planning, and compliance with civil service principles when the department uses contractors in place of state employees.

Impact

AB 2223 would not directly prohibit CDCR from contracting out covered services, but it would create a new reporting and disclosure framework in the Penal Code for contracts that replace or overlap with civil service work. The measure would affect CDCR, its contractors, the Legislature, and exclusive bargaining representatives by requiring more detailed contract data at the time of contracting and in annual reports. It would likely increase administrative tracking and reporting obligations for the department and could provide labor organizations and policymakers with more information to evaluate contracting practices, staffing decisions, and costs.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill has generally received favorable committee support. It was approved on a 5-0 vote in one committee and later advanced from another committee on a 4-1 vote before being re-referred to Appropriations. The bill text itself frames the measure as a transparency and accountability bill, and there is no committee transcript indicating public debate in the provided materials. Overall, the sentiment appears supportive, with the main concern likely centered on the scope and burden of the new reporting requirements rather than the underlying policy goal.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to be the extent to which CDCR relies on contractors for work traditionally done by civil service employees, especially in medical and mental health staffing. Supporters emphasize transparency, fiscal oversight, and protection of civil service principles, while potential opponents may be concerned about added administrative burden, disclosure of sensitive contracting information, and the practical implications for staffing flexibility. The bill’s requirement to identify labor-law violations, contractor fees, and the civil service classifications that would otherwise perform the work may also be sensitive for contractors and the department, because it could invite scrutiny of outsourcing decisions and labor practices.