Penal Code section 7461

(a)

The department shall provide forms to the institution for short-term gate clearances. The institution shall only use the forms provided by the department to process the short-term gate clearance. The forms should reflect the limited nature of this clearance and shall not be overly burdensome. An institution shall not require additional institution-specific “local” forms.

(b)

The department shall not require a fingerprint-based background check from an applicant applying for a short-term gate clearance.

(c)

The department shall not limit the number of short-term gate clearances an applicant can receive.

(d)

The department shall notify all short-term gate clearance applicants of the decision to approve or disapprove the application consistent with the timeframes identified in the department’s criminal history security screening form.

Source: Section 7461, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=7461.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2026; accessed Dec. 22, 2025).

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Verified:
Dec. 22, 2025

§ 7461's source at ca​.gov