CA AB2709

Prohibits the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from denying or restricting in-person visits for incarcerated persons in state prisons unless necessary and narrowly tailored to legitimate security and safety interests.

Requires facilities to provide at least 3 days of in-person visiting per week and mandates that infrastructure originally built for family visits be used only for that purpose.

Prohibits strip searches and body cavity searches of visitors under 18 years of age; allows strip searches of minors only with a warrant, probable cause, and written consent from the minor and their parent or guardian.

Establishes specific conduct during visits that can justify visit denials or restrictions, including contraband possession, sexual conduct, physical violence, or escape attempts, while prohibiting denials based on visitor's or incarcerated person's criminal history, supervision status, or outstanding fines.

Requires written notice within 5 days when visits are denied, including the reason for denial, and limits reapplication restrictions to no more than 15 days for denials not based on conduct listed in the statute.