CA AB1646

Requires all youth confined in juvenile facilities to have the right to engage in nonsexual physical contact with visitors during in-person visits, including hugging at the beginning and end of visits and holding hands

Applies to youth before, during, or after adjudication of wardship in any juvenile facility

Mandates all juvenile facilities establish regulations and procedures for in-person visitation consistent with these physical contact requirements

Known as the "Hug Act," introduced by Assembly Members Bryan and Mark González on January 27, 2026

Provides for state reimbursement to local agencies if the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill imposes state-mandated costs