Existing law prohibits a city, city and county, or local law enforcement agency from entering into a contract with the federal government or any federal agency to house or detain noncitizens for purposes of civil immigration custody in a locked detention facility. Existing law, until July 1, 2027, requires the Attorney General to engage in reviews of county, local, and private locked detention facilities in which noncitizens are being housed or detained for purposes of civil immigration proceedings in California. Existing law requires that review to include a review of the conditions of confinement, a review of the standard of care and due process provided to the detainees, and a review of the circumstances around their apprehension and transfer to the facility. Existing law requires any private detention facility operator, as defined, to comply with, and adhere to, the detention standards of care and confinement agreed upon in the facility’s contract for operations.

This bill, the Private Detention Facility Oversight and Standards Act of 2026, would make specified findings and declarations related to the regulation of the health, safety, and welfare of individuals held in private detention facilities.