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Assembly passes bill restoring county discretion on inmate wages, removing century-old 25¢ cap
Summary
The California Assembly passed AB 248 to allow counties to set wages for jailed individuals instead of a state-mandated 25-cent-per-hour cap; supporters said it restores local control and helps fund victims' compensation, while opponents warned of added costs for rural counties and urged focus on rehabilitation programs.
The California Assembly on March 6 passed Assembly Bill 248, a measure that removes a long-standing state limit on wages paid to people working in county jails and restores local discretion over pay rates.
Assemblymember Brian, the bill’s author, said the measure targets “an archaic, piece of state law” that currently prevents counties from paying incarcerated people more than 25 cents per hour. “Local counties should have the authority and the jurisdiction to decide for themselves what the dignity of work is for people in their jails,” Brian said on the Assembly floor, arguing the change is appropriate because many people in county jails are pretrial and that…
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