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Council reactivates file to study banning private detention centers

Los Angeles City Council · February 11, 2026

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Summary

Council member McCosker successfully moved to reactivate file 19-742 so staff can update research and review options — including land-use approaches — after federal and state developments; council voted 12–0 to reactivate the file.

Council member McCosker asked colleagues to reactivate council file 19-742, a land-use file first introduced in 2019 that would prohibit private detention centers across the city. McCosker said changes in state and federal law since 2019 and new reporting about proposed private facilities elsewhere justify updated research and a fresh look by planning and the city attorney.

"I don't want to be alarmist," McCosker said, "I don't want to pretend that I have any information that anyone's proposing a private detention center, but we know that publications and news agencies across the country are reporting ... there are private detention centers proposed in at least eight states." He argued that land-use authority gives the city a tool to act locally even when state and federal actions complicate other avenues.

McCosker referenced AB 32 (as presented in the hearing) and a federal challenge that limited some state-level restrictions; he urged the council to use planning and the city attorney to update the file, research zoning options and prepare to respond quickly if any proposal is advanced.

Council members voiced support. The clerk recorded the vote to reactivate the file as 12 ayes. The reactivation will send the file back to planning and the city attorney for updated findings and legal analysis so the council can consider whether a citywide prohibition is warranted and legally defensible.

Next steps are procedural: staff will update research, return legal analysis to council and the planning department will re-evaluate applicability of land-use controls as requested.