The Overview

If you or someone you know is incarcerated in a California state prison, SB 337, requires state prison officials to adopt body camera policies by July 1, 2027, and search protocols by Jan. 1, 2028. It also lets incarcerated people file anonymous sexual misconduct grievances directly with the Office of the Inspector General. ​

California's SB 337 Prisons became law when Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed it Sept. 27. The law comes after a two-year federal investigation found systemic sexual abuse and civil-rights violations at California women's prisons, the Los Angeles Times reported, and after at least 279 women sued the state corrections department over alleged sexual misconduct by staff, according to CalMatters.

What the Law Does

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) must, by July 1, 2027, set policies on when body-worn cameras may be turned off, set a minimum amount of time per shift that they be activated, and require them to be on during interactions with incarcerated people, and for specified confidential interactions, staff must tell the person why the camera was turned off and document the reason and the times of deactivation and reactivation.

By Jan. 1, 2028, CDCR must create protocols for nonroutine searches and body scans, requiring sergeant-level supervisor approval, written documentation, and a receipt given to the person searched. The law also directs CDCR, once the Legislature appropriates funds, to pilot scanning technology at three institutions as an alternative to unclothed body searches.

On sexual misconduct, CDCR must adopt a zero-tolerance Prison Sexual Violence Elimination policy, run criminal background checks on existing employees every five years, and bar anyone with substantiated prior allegations of sexual abuse or convictions for felony domestic battery or specified sex offenses from working with incarcerated people. A conviction for sexual activity with an incarcerated person requires termination, bars reinstatement, and must be reported to local law enforcement.

Incarcerated people may now file anonymous grievances about sexual misconduct directly with the Office of the Inspector General, and the filing window extends from 60 to 120 days.

Legislative Status

Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-CA-20) sponsored the bill, with coauthors Asm. Nick Schultz (D-CA-44) and Asm. LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-CA-79). The Senate passed the bill 38 to 0 on May 28, 2025. The Assembly passed it 60 to 0. The Senate then concurred in Assembly amendments 39 to 0 on Aug. 31.

Menjivar described the bill as focused on accountability and transparency in California's correctional systems. Equality California welcomed the committee's passage of the bill, calling it legislation to strengthen protections against sexual violence and improve accountability.

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