SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 1226, known as the “Keep Families Close” bill and written by Assemblymember Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, passed the Legislature with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday, July 21.This bill requires the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to place an incarcerated parent, legal guardian or caregiver of a minor child in the correctional facility closest to that child’s home. The bill also allows already incarcerated parents to request a transfer to the prison closest to their child’s home. AB 1226 doesn’t apply to individuals convicted of certain crimes, such as violence and sex related offenses, that already prohibit them from having child visitation rights.“We know that having a relationsh
