Addressing Chronic Vacancies in Prison Mental Health Care

Feb 23, 2026 - In July and August 2025, SQRC ’s vacancy rate was 0   percent —well under the court ‑ordered 10  percent vacancy rate. During a site visit in July 2025, SQRC staff noted that retention was high at the prison, and that new applicants have had to be placed on the waitlist because of how well staffed the prison is.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5134

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Justice

Feb 11, 2026 - The DROS Special Account is the primary special fund supporting BOF activities. This is because it receives the most fee revenue. Additionally, the statutorily permissible uses of the fund are quite broad.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5118

The 2026-27 Budget: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Feb 23, 2026 - Adding More Licensing Exemptions for Those Who Work at Prisons. Currently, providers with out ‑of ‑state licenses are required to obtain a California license to work in CDCR, though some may use their out ‑of ‑state license on a temporary basis.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5137

The 2026-27 Budget: Judicial Branch

Feb 11, 2026 - Currently, the fund remains insolvent and is estimated to require a General Fund backfill in the tens of millions of dollars annually through 2036 ‑37 to maintain existing facility ‑related activities and to pay the debt service for completed construction  projects.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5113