Legislation aimed at better protecting youth sent to residential treatment centers in California — a bill inspired by an Imprint and San Francisco Chronicle investigation — has been signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Senate Bill 1043 requires the state Department of Social Services to publicly report how often and why children have been physically restrained or sent to seclusion. When the law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, parents, guardians, foster parents and tribal representatives must be informed of any such measures deployed in group care settings.
“Children and teens — especially those in the care of the foster system — should never be subjected to improper use of restraints, or isolation while they are meant to be receiving treatment,” Gov. Gavin Newsom stated in a press release today.