Penal Code section 7460
(a)
“Annual gate clearance” refers to a clearance status allowing a program provider or legal professional to enter one institution for a full calendar year.(b)
“Institution” refers to a California state prison or facility, including community reentry programs and fire camps under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.(c)
“Program provider” refers to an individual affiliated with a nonprofit organization or a volunteer that originates outside the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and provides rehabilitative programming to incarcerated people.(d)
“Program provider identification card” refers to an identification card that allows a program provider with an annual or statewide gate clearance to enter specified institutions without a sponsor.(e)
“Short-term gate clearance” refers to a clearance status that allows a program provider, legal professional, or attorney support personnel to enter an institution for the specific dates and times, as approved by the hiring authority or designee, and shall not exceed 30 days.(f)
“Sponsor” refers to staff at an institution assigned to escort program providers, legal professionals, or attorney support personnel, within the institution.(g)
“Statewide gate clearance” refers to a clearance status provided to a program provider or legal professional entering more than three institutions on a routine basis.(h)
(1)“Legal professional” refers to an attorney or attorney representative.(2)
An attorney representative is any of the following:(A)
A private investigator licensed by any state and sponsored by the attorney or appointed by the court.(B)
An investigator who is employed by a government agency, public agency, or public institution.(3)
An attorney support personnel is any of the following:(A)
A law student sponsored by the attorney.(B)
A legal paraprofessional sponsored by the attorney or appointed by the court.(C)
An employee of an attorney, legitimate legal service organization, or licensed private investigator who is sponsored by the attorney or licensed private investigator.
Source:
Section 7460, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=7460. (updated Jan. 1, 2026; accessed Dec. 22, 2025).
