Assembly Bill Would Expand Availability Of Condoms In Prisons

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The state Assembly has approved a bill that would expand the availability of condoms in California prisons after Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar measure last year.

Lawmakers approved AB966 by Democratic Assemblyman Rob Bonta of Alameda on a 45-26 vote Monday.

Unlike the previous legislation, which spelled out a plan for California prisons to distribute condoms, the latest version would ask the California Department of Corrections to write its own plan.

Brown rejected last year's legislation, saying the corrections department already allows family visitors to bring condoms for overnight visits.

Bonta says a community group has volunteered to donate the condoms and dispensers. Condoms are not legally available in most prisons because it is illegal for inmates to have sex with each other.