L.A. County orders hugs back into juvenile halls: Probation told to drop prior-approval rule by Jan. 1

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The Southbound 105 headline graphic: hugs back in juvenile halls

The Hug Act (AB 1646) makes appropriate physical contact during in-person visits a legal right for incarcerated youth. The motion also demands twice-yearly reports on how it's working.

By Alberto Zamudio | The Southbound 105 | Oct. 15, 2026

Teenagers held in Los Angeles County's juvenile halls and camps will have a legal right to hug their families when they visit, and the county is now on a clock to make that happen.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 6 approved a motion by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Holly Mitchell to implement Assembly Bill 1646, known as the Hug Act, MyNewsLA reported. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

What the law does

AB 1646, by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, makes "appropriate physical contact during in-person visits a legal right" for incarcerated youth across California, according to the motion. The bill originated with young people incarcerated at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, who asked "to be able to hug their families hello and goodbye during visitation," the motion says. The motion states that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1646 on Sept. 27, 2026.

Where the county stands now

The motion says the Board unanimously passed a March 3 motion supporting the bill and asked Probation for a status report. At that time, Probation said it was revising its policy to allow contact visits with prior approval from the chief probation officer, on designated, pre-scheduled days. The motion says that, still, "youth at all facilities in Los Angeles County still do not have access to regular contact visits."

The motion also notes Probation has implemented hugs on some pre-scheduled visiting days. It quotes family feedback, including: "It was nice to hug." "Keep doing it. It helps the kids feel more love." And: "The best thing about the Mother's Day visit was hugging my son, praying with him, and giving him mama kisses."

What Probation must do

The board directed the chief probation officer to:

  1. Revise the visitation policy to eliminate the requirement that contact visits get prior approval from the chief probation officer, ready to be implemented by Jan. 1, 2027.
  2. Create written materials telling parents and youth of their right to physical contact and stating that contact will not be restricted as a disciplinary consequence, and share them online, post them in facilities and give them to families by Jan. 1, 2027.
  3. Ramp up in-person contact visits at all county juvenile facilities for the rest of this calendar year.
  4. Report back in writing in 60 days with a plan to comply by Jan. 1. The plan must cover how youth can decline a contact visit at any point without affecting future visits, confirmation that contact will not be a disciplinary tool, the standard and documentation for any temporary restriction based on a specific and significant safety or security concern, and consistent expectations across facilities.
  5. File two six-month reports, by July 1, 2027, and Jan. 1, 2028, in consultation with the Probation Oversight Commission, covering participation by facility, feedback from youth and families, and how many times contact was restricted and why.

What Probation and the supervisors said

Hahn said, per MyNewsLA: "We have a long way to go to fix our juvenile system, but establishing the right of these young people to hug their loved ones is one small way we can bring some humanity back in." She added: "Safety has to be our priority, but there should be room for kids to be able to hug their moms."

The Probation Department said it supports the changes and has been working to expand family contact: "The Los Angeles County Probation Department recognizes strong family connections are essential to a youth's well-being, rehabilitation, and successful reentry," according to its statement quoted by MyNewsLA.

Why it matters

The motion's reporting requirements are as significant as the hugging. The July 2027 and January 2028 reports will show whether youth are actually getting contact visits at each facility and how often staff restrict them. The ban on using contact as discipline and the exception for documented safety concerns are the points most likely to be tested.

What's next

  • About early December: Probation's written compliance plan is due, 60 days after Oct. 6.
  • Jan. 1, 2027: AB 1646 takes effect; the revised policy and family materials must be ready.
  • July 1, 2027, and Jan. 1, 2028: written reports to the Board with facility-by-facility data.
  • Watch the Oversight Commission: the motion calls for consultation with the Probation Oversight Commission on the reports.

Want more local news? Read more at The Southbound 105.

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