Assembly Bill 2975 Compliance: What California Hospitals Need To Know
California hospitals are facing a significant change in workplace safety regulations with the passage of Assembly Bill 2975 (AB 2975). This groundbreaking legislation mandates the implementation of weapons detection screening at hospital entrances by 2027. As healthcare facilities prepare for this new requirement, it’s crucial to understand the implications and necessary steps for compliance.
What AB 2975 requires
AB 2975 requires hospitals to operate weapons screening systems at specific public entry points. The law explicitly mandates weapons detection at the hospital’s main entrance, emergency room, and labor and delivery if they have separate entry points into the facility. Hospitals must also display clear signage at each screened entrance to inform the public that weapons detection is in effect.
In addition, AB 2975 calls for hospitals to provide annual training for staff focused on identifying and reporting potential threats or violent incidents. These are not guidelines but statutory obligations that carry compliance expectations and operational consequences.
Why hospitals can’t wait until 2027
Hospitals delaying action on AB 2975 risk facing a compressed implementation timeline, fewer vendor options, and higher costs due to demand surges. Many California healthcare facilities are already grappling with budget constraints, capital project backlogs, and workforce shortages. Incorporating weapons detection requirements into hospital infrastructure is not as simple as placing a device at the front door. Choosing appropriate technology solutions, aligning them with hospital workflows, training staff, and establishing protocols for signage, item confiscation, and documentation all require time and cross-departmental coordination.
Facilities that begin preparation early can phase their deployment, select the appropriate technology, and minimize operational disruption. Waiting until the final months will likely force rushed decisions, resulting in less-than-optimal system performance or avoidable compliance gaps.
Where to begin
The path to AB 2975 compliance starts with a comprehensive security assessment. Every facility has unique visitor patterns, care environments, and entry configurations. A security assessment allows hospitals to evaluate which entrances need screening, how to route foot traffic, and where potential security risks may arise. It also helps prioritize areas for phased implementation, particularly in high-traffic zones like emergency departments, main lobbies, and behavioral health units.
Once this baseline is established, hospital leaders must bring together a cross-functional team that includes security personnel, compliance officers, IT, clinical leadership, and facilities teams. Early alignment ensures that screening protocols, signage placement, and secure storage processes are planned in coordination rather than in isolation. This coordination also lays the groundwork for effective staff training and incident response planning.
Technology selection should be based on throughput needs, ease of use, integration capabilities, and clinical sensitivity. Traditional metal detectors can create bottlenecks, increase patient anxiety, and add unnecessary burden to staff. Solutions like Evolv Express use advanced sensor technology and AI to screen visitors effectively while helping minimize congestion and disruptions to traffic flow at ingress points.
Hospitals must also prepare financially for long-term system support. AB 2975 compliance is not a one-time purchase. Ongoing maintenance, software updates, staff retraining, and secure storage logistics must be budgeted for annually. Including these costs in multi-year capital and operational plans prevents downstream disruptions and ensures systems remain functional beyond initial deployment.
Documentation is another critical component. AB 2975 requires proof of compliance across multiple areas, including operational screening hours, signage, secure storage practices, and staff training. Hospitals should establish a centralized compliance tracking system early in the process to support internal audits and readiness for any inspections tied to the new regulations.
Prepare now for AB 2975 compliance
California hospitals face a clear, enforceable deadline. Starting in 2027, AB 2975 will require operational weapons detection screening at all public entrances. Successful implementation will depend on early planning, cross-functional coordination, and technology choices aligned with healthcare workflows.
TRL Systems offers specialized consulting and technical expertise to support hospital compliance planning. From facility assessments to turnkey deployment, TRL helps hospitals integrate advanced weapons detection into their broader security ecosystem.
To learn how TRL Systems can help your hospital prepare for AB 2975 compliance, visit TRL’s Healthcare Solutions Page or register for our upcoming webinar.