SB 1507 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

independent corrections ombudsman; auditor general

SB 1507 establishes an independent Corrections Ombudsman office within Arizona’s existing ombudsman system. The governor appoints a director (with strict conflict-of-interest rules) to monitor prison conditions, investigate inmate complaints confidentially via phone or online, and inspect facilities every two years. The office must annually report detailed data to lawmakers, including inmate deaths, assaults, staff ratios, facility lockdowns, and the department’s compliance with rehabilitation programs. This directly affects Arizona inmates (by providing complaint channels), correctional staff (who can report issues), and the Department of Corrections (which must supply required data and meet reporting standards).

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jul 2025

Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed Jul 1, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Engrossed Version → HOUSE - Amended by GOV - passed as amended · 3 edits

MINOR

The House amended the Senate version of SB 1507 by removing the standalone section establishing the Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman and integrating its provisions into the bill's text. This change consolidates the ombudsman office creation language with the rest of the bill's content rather than keeping it as a separate section. The substantive policy provisions regarding the ombudsman's duties, appointment requirements, and reporting obligations remain intact.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on establishing an independent corrections ombudsman office within Arizona, but the structural organization changed from having a separate section to being integrated within the bill text.

TECHNICAL

Removed the standalone section header and introductory text that established the Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman as a separate section of the bill.

Reorganized the bill structure by integrating ombudsman provisions into the main text rather than maintaining them as a distinct section.

Added House amendment instruction key explaining the markup conventions used in the amended version.

House Engrossed Version → Senate Engrossed Version · 8 edits · Jun 27, 2025

MODERATE

This bill establishes a new Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman within the Arizona Department of Corrections to monitor conditions of confinement, investigate inmate complaints, and ensure compliance with rehabilitation and safety standards. The office will have expanded investigative powers, including subpoena authority and access to all facilities and records, while maintaining confidentiality protections. The bill also appropriates $1.5 million for the office's initial funding and repeals an outdated oversight statute.

Scope change

The bill shifts oversight from a standalone 'Independent Correctional Oversight Office' (now repealed) to an office integrated within the existing Ombudsman-Citizens Aide structure, with expanded powers and reporting requirements.

SCOPE

Establishes a new Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman with expanded powers to investigate inmate complaints, monitor conditions of confinement, and conduct facility inspections.

Repeals the previous Independent Correctional Oversight Office statute (41-1610.02) and replaces it with the new ombudsman office structure.

REQUIREMENT

Requires the office to submit detailed annual reports on inmate deaths, assaults, segregation, staff turnover, and compliance with rehabilitation programs.

ENFORCEMENT

Grants the office subpoena authority and access to all department records within 20 business days (5 days for death-related records).

FISCAL

Appropriates $1.5 million for fiscal year 2025-2026 with intent for ongoing funding, exempt from appropriation lapsing provisions.

ELIGIBILITY

Adds conflict-of-interest restrictions preventing appointment of individuals with recent ties to correctional businesses or the department.

DEFINITION

Defines key terms including 'Department' (state department of corrections) and 'Office' (independent corrections ombudsman).

TIMELINE

Sets inspection frequency at least once every two years and requires annual reporting by December 31.

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version · 8 edits · Jun 27, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten to create a new Independent Correctional Oversight Office within the Auditor General's office, replacing the previous Independent Corrections Ombudsman. The new office has expanded powers including broader investigation authority, enhanced reporting requirements on inmate deaths and medical issues, and new protections for staff and complainants. The office director now serves full-time with stricter conflict-of-interest rules and the office can access all facility areas without prior notice.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a limited ombudsman role to a full oversight office with broader investigative powers, expanded reporting requirements on inmate deaths and medical conditions, and new provisions for staff immunity and confidentiality protections.

DEFINITION

Changed the office name from 'Independent Corrections Ombudsman' to 'Independent Correctional Oversight Office' and updated related definitions throughout the statute.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded annual reporting requirements to include detailed information on inmate deaths with cause, medical treatment, drug overdoses, mental health assessments, and classification scoring systems.

Added new requirements for the office to report significant inmate health, safety, or welfare issues to the Governor, Attorney General, and legislative leaders within ten business days.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new sections granting the office authority to conduct investigations on its own initiative, access all facility areas without prior notice, and render public decisions on complaint merits.

Added immunity protections for the office director and staff from civil actions except for gross negligence or intentional wrongful acts.

FISCAL

Established a new 'Corrections Oversight Fund' to support the office's operations through legislative appropriations, federal monies, and private grants.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility requirements for the office director to require full-time service and added stricter conflict of interest provisions under Title 38.

TIMELINE

Changed the deadline for the department to provide certain information to the office from December 31 to October 31 of each year.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 13, 2025 · House Jun 26, 2025

How they voted

23–5

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 30

Mar 13, 2025

D Democratic13

10 Yea 1 Nay 2

76% Yea

R Republican17

13 Yea 4 Nay

76% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jul 1, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by Governor

executive

Jun 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Jun 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Jun 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

DPA

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

DPA

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors