Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2483 into law today, delivering a landmark victory for incarcerated firefighters and public safety by creating a clear pathway for people who protect California communities on the fireline while incarcerated to continue that service as a career after release.

California lawmakers gave final approval to legislation that would help incarcerated firefighters turn their frontline experience into careers after release, sending Assembly Bill 2483 to Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature.

Assemblymember Sade Elhawary (AD-57) today introduced Assembly Bill 2483 to establish clear, accountable career pathways for incarcerated firefighters seeking to enter California’s fire service upon release.

The signatories to this letter support the Vera Institute of Justice’s, NextGen California's, and the Michelson Center for Public Policy’s request for $40 million in one-time Labor and Workforce Development Fund investment in the FY2026-27 budget to launch a pilot program called “Jails to Jobs” (J2J) that integrates workforce development for Californians in pretrial proceedings.