L.A. County backs ‘Hug Act’ inspired by youth at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Supervisor Janice Hahn hugs Lawrence, who was formerly incarcerated at Los Padrinos and helped lead the effort to bring the Hug Act forward. (Photo by Bryan Chan)

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted earlier this month to support state legislation that would require juvenile facilities to allow youth in custody to hug visiting family members.

The board approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn, co-authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, on March 3 backing Assembly Bill 1646 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles. The proposal, known as the “Hug Act,” cleared the California State Assembly Public Safety Committee earlier in the day.

The measure would require juvenile facilities across California to ensure that young people in custody have the right to hug visitors during family visits.

“No one should tell a child that they cannot hug their mom,” Hahn said in a statement. “The youth in our care are already facing unimaginable stress and challenges, and we know from research that allowing youth to embrace their loved ones leads to positive mental health outcomes and less violent behavior. It’s time to let these kids hug their moms.”

Advocacy for the change began with youth held at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. In July 2024, the youth mentorship organization Hoops 4 Justice attended a Board of Supervisors meeting with a poster created by youth at the facility listing requests to improve their experience. The final request on the poster asked that they be allowed to hug their mothers during visits.

Current visitation procedures restrict physical contact in part because of concerns about contraband entering secure facilities.

“Seeing that poster broke my heart,” Hahn said, noting she visits the Downey facility monthly and hosts dinners and a guest speaker series for youth there. “I am beyond proud of the youth at Los Padrinos who inspired this urgent change in state law.”

Mitchell said the legislation recognizes the importance of family connection for young people in custody.

“A hug can go a long way in supporting the well-being and development of young people in our juvenile justice system, as well as the families counting the days until their return home,” Mitchell said. “As the county with the largest juvenile justice system in the world, it is my expectation that we remain engaged throughout the legislative process to help get this bill to the governor’s desk.”

Bryan said the bill is intended to place greater emphasis on rehabilitation and humanity within the juvenile justice system.

“Children deserve to be held, loved on, and affirmed by their parents,” Bryan said. “Denying incarcerated children hugs doesn’t keep anybody any safer.”

During the board’s discussion, Los Angeles County Chief Probation Officer Guillermo Viera Rosa provided an update on efforts by the county Probation Department to reform and standardize visitation practices at facilities including Los Padrinos.