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Policy advocacy
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Policy advocacy

We fight to dismantle incarceration by advancing policies that center healing, justice, and the leadership of system-impacted communities.

UPDATE AS OF 10/14/2025
Here’s an update on which bills were signed– and which were not.

Governor Newsom’s signing of AB 247, AB 812, SB 553, and AB 1071 into law marks a major victory for our communities and the movement to advance justice and dignity for incarcerated people. These bills honor the humanity and labor of incarcerated firefighters, expand access to the courts, and remove unnecessary barriers for those fighting for accountability and transparency inside California’s prison system. Together, they move us closer to a system rooted in fairness, rehabilitation, and opportunity — not punishment. This is what progress looks like when directly impacted voices lead the way.

AB 247 (Bryan)
Increased Wages for Hand Crew Members

This bill increases the pay that incarcerated hand crew members receive for the hours worked while actively fighting fires. This bill was signed by the governor.

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AB 812 (Lowenthal)
Reconsideration for Incarcerated Firefighters

This bill authorizes the CDCR to recommend incarcerated firefighters to be considered for resentencing. It will also allow incarcerated firefighters to petition the court to be considered for resentencing. This bill was signed by the governor.

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SB 553 (Cortese)
CDCR Clearances for Attorneys and Government Employees

This bill grants short-term clearance to specified officials without needing to undergo standard clearance application procedures each time, and legal professionals will have access for up to a year. This bill was signed by the governor.

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AB 1071 (Kalra)
“RJA 2025” The CA Racial Justice Act Court Procedures

This bill makes clarifying changes to the procedures for Racial Justice Act (RJA) claims. It ensures greater consistency, transparency, and accessibility for people raising claims of racial bias in their cases. This bill was signed by the governor.

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AB 868 (J. Carrillo)
Strengthening Voter Representation in County Elections

This bill would have required that county non-partisan elections appear on the general election ballot. For county offices like the Boards of Supervisors, District Attorneys, and Sheriffs, it puts in place a process that is consistent with all state election races. Unfortunately, this bill did not pass.

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AB 622 (Kalra)
The Rehabilitation Recognition Act

This bill would have reinforced CDCR’s ability to award credits to people with an indeterminate sentence for good conduct and completion of educational and other programs. It would have allowed someone to advance their MEPD and be eligible to go before the parole board based on credits earned. Unfortunately, this bill did not pass.

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How policy advocacy works

Creating change requires strategy, persistence, and collective power. We develop and support legislation that reduces harm, restores rights, and shifts the justice system away from punishment and toward healing.

Identify the issue

We listen to impacted communities to surface urgent problems that require policy change.

Draft the solution

We help write legislation that reflects the needs and demands of directly impacted people.

Build support

We organize communities, build coalitions, and meet with lawmakers to gather momentum.

Engage the process

We track the bill through committees, votes, and amendments—showing up every step of the way.

Hold power accountable

We push for implementation and stay engaged to ensure policies are carried out with integrity.

Our Impact
Past legislative efforts
Would have created in-person polling stations and voter registration access in county jails; vetoed by the Governor.
Eliminates most youth restitution fines, ending wage garnishments and joint liability; signed into law, effective Jan 1, 2025.
Requires the Inspector General to publish CDCR’s banned books list and review challenges; signed into law, effective Jan 1, 2025.
Improves language access at parole hearings by translating key documents into the top 5 non-English languages; effective Jan 1, 2025.
Standardizes resentencing procedures and mandates CDCR record sharing within 30 days; effective Jan 1, 2025.
Would have made Restorative Justice sessions confidential in legal proceedings; dropped due to weakening amendments.
Requires counties to notify victims of available Restorative Justice programs; passed in 2023.
Streamlines program provider access across all prisons; passed in 2023.
Fixes legal issues in the Racial Justice Act to ensure smoother appeals; passed in 2023.
Replaces youth restitution with restorative justice, community service, or job support; advancing in 2024 as a two-year bill.
Would have created retroactive resentencing for firearm enhancements; held in committee and did not move forward.
Would have restored voting rights to incarcerated people; held by the Free the Vote coalition.
Makes racial justice protections retroactive, with phased implementation starting in 2023 and 2024.
Prevents restitution from blocking record sealing or expungement; passed in 2022.
Requires courts to consider alternatives to incarceration like diversion and restorative justice; applies to cases from Jan 1, 2023.
Provides alternative pleas to avoid deportation and collateral consequences for drug charges; passed in 2022.
Would have limited solitary confinement and protected vulnerable groups; vetoed in 2022.
Improves access to in-prison programming by addressing barriers like transfers and lockdowns; implemented in 2022.
Would have reduced gun enhancements and created pathways for resentencing; did not pass in 2021.
Led to Prop 17, restoring voting rights to people on parole; passed in 2020.
Restored voting rights to 50,000 Californians on parole after completing prison sentences.
Permanently ended copays for medical and dental care in jails and prisons; passed in 2019.
Expands credit-earning opportunities for those eligible for youth parole; implemented in 2022.
Reformed felony murder rule, limiting its use; in effect since 2019.
FAQ
We prioritize policies that are informed by directly impacted people and that meaningfully reduce incarceration, restore rights, and promote healing.
Yes! We provide training and resources to help community members learn how to support, advocate for, and shape policy changes.
A bill must be introduced by a legislator, move through committees, pass both houses of the legislature, and be signed into law. Our role is to mobilize communities and lawmakers to support justice-focused policies.
You can take action by calling or writing legislators, joining organizing efforts, and helping spread awareness about our policy campaigns.
No. We also work policies related to reentry systems and restoring rights for people who are formerly incarcerated. As our policies reshape California's approach to justice, it reduces the likelihood that harm will happen again and frees up resources for the community (like money in our state's budget). This impacts all of us.