Criminal Justice

vetoed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 2662: parenting time; expert testimony; qualifications

HB 2662 (Arizona) sets standards for expert testimony in parenting time cases where domestic violence or abuse is alleged. It requires courts to admit only testimony from experts with specific clinical experience supporting victims of domestic violence - not just forensic expertise - and limits evidence to scientifically validated methods. The bill prohibits the use of polygraphs, voice-stress analysis, or unproven psychological measures in these proceedings. This directly affects courts, experts testifying in custody disputes, and parents involved in cases with domestic violence allegations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires scientifically validated evidence in domestic violence cases, protecting victims and ensuring fair court proceedings within criminal justice context.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Arizona · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 1326: victims' rights; attorney fees; costs

SB 1326 strengthens victims' rights in Arizona criminal cases by allowing victims to directly enforce their constitutional rights in court without paying filing fees. It gives victims the right to hire their own lawyers (at their expense), recover damages from government entities that violate their rights, and receive court-ordered attorney fees from parties who breach those rights - including fees for free legal aid or pro bono attorneys. The law applies to all pending or new criminal cases after its effective date. This clarifies victims' standing to challenge rights violations and ensures their legal representation is included in relevant court proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens victims' rights in criminal cases by removing financial barriers, enabling victim representation, and allowing fee recovery - directly advancing victims' access to justice within the criminal justice system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Arizona · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 1476: child neglect; prenatal substance exposure

SB 1476 modifies Arizona law to address child neglect cases involving prenatal substance exposure. It creates an affirmative defense for mothers who completed alcohol or drug treatment during pregnancy, preventing them from being charged with child neglect for that specific conduct. The bill specifies that child neglect related to untreated prenatal substance use remains a class 6 felony, but the defense applies if treatment was completed. This directly affects mothers facing neglect charges due to substance use during pregnancy who have accessed treatment services. The policy change shifts legal consequences for a defined subset of cases without altering general neglect definitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates affirmative defense for mothers completing treatment, reducing criminal charges for prenatal substance use and prioritizing rehabilitation over prosecution, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates legal incentive for prenatal substance treatment by removing neglect charges for mothers who completed care, encouraging healthcare access without restricting services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · Arizona · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 1416: missing; kidnapped children; reporting requirements

SB 1416 requires Arizona law enforcement agencies to submit detailed information about missing or kidnapped children to state and national databases within two hours, including photos, physical descriptions, and last known locations. Agencies must also share this information with media and social media within 20-40 hours, update records within 30 days, and notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for children in foster care. The bill mandates comprehensive training for officers handling such cases at hire and biannually, covering reporting protocols and coordination with child welfare systems. This procedural legislation directly affects all Arizona law enforcement agencies and their response protocols for missing children cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates faster law enforcement reporting for missing children cases, enhancing response coordination and data sharing within criminal justice system procedures.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Arizona · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 1631: DCS; sexual abuse allegations; interviews

SB 1631 requires Arizona's Department of Child Safety (DCS) and local law enforcement to implement standardized protocols for investigating sexual abuse allegations against children. It mandates that a trained forensic interviewer conduct a child's initial interview within 72 hours of a report alleging sexual abuse (defined as offenses under specific Arizona statutes like molestation, trafficking, or assault), with limited exceptions for medical care or child location. The bill also establishes requirements for county-level interdisciplinary investigations, information sharing, joint case coordination, and annual reporting to the governor and legislature. These protocols directly affect DCS workers, county attorneys, law enforcement, and medical experts involved in child abuse cases. The law does not change evidence admissibility but focuses on improving investigation speed and coordination.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates standardized forensic interviews for child sexual abuse cases, improving investigation accuracy and victim handling within criminal justice system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Arizona · House Jun 13, 2026

HB 4158: criminal justice; 2026-2027

This Arizona bill creates a new transition program that allows eligible inmates to serve up to ninety days in the community before their full release. To qualify, inmates must meet specific criteria, such as having a minimum or medium custody classification, making satisfactory progress in prison programming, and agreeing to provide post-release information, while those convicted of sexual offenses or serious violent crimes are excluded. The program requires private or nonprofit providers to offer services like counseling, job placement, and family reunification, and it mandates that victims be notified and given a chance to object before an inmate can be released early. Additionally, the bill establishes a dedicated fund to cover program costs and requires the state department to submit annual reports on the number of participants, the types of services provided, and recidivism rates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a transition program to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation through community-based reentry.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Arizona · Senate Jun 13, 2026

SB 1847: general appropriations act; 2026-2027.

SB 1847 is the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act for Arizona's Department of Corrections, allocating approximately $1.6 billion in state funding to support prisons, community corrections, and inmate healthcare. The bill establishes strict reporting requirements, mandating that the department submit monthly financial updates, annual staffing reports, and detailed bed capacity analyses to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. It also introduces specific financial controls, such as requiring legislative review before spending on certain inmate healthcare contracts and limiting private prison staff stipends to amounts equal to those paid to state employees. Additionally, the legislation directs that all earnings from specific land funds be used solely to support penal institutions and requires the department to prioritize filling in-state prison beds before using out-of-state provisional beds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1.6B to state corrections and enforces strict financial reporting, directly advancing budget management and funding essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $1.6B to Arizona DOC for prisons, corrections, and healthcare, strengthening the system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Arizona · Senate Jun 13, 2026

SB 1752: mescaline; possession; sale; commercial use

SB 1752 prohibits harvesting, processing, or selling mescaline for commercial purposes or research in Arizona, with a specific exception for religious use integral to bona fide religious practices that don’t endanger public health or safety. It defines "commercial use" as any profit-seeking activity and limits "research" to medical or pharmaceutical applications. Violating the law is a class 4 felony offense. The bill does not affect personal possession or non-commercial religious use.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes commercial mescaline use with felony penalties, expanding criminalization rather than promoting reform or reducing penalties.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · Arizona · Senate Jun 12, 2026

SB 1110: home confinement; eligibility; electronic monitoring.

SB 1110 establishes Arizona's home confinement program for eligible inmates, directly affecting those serving sentences for specific non-violent felonies who meet strict criteria. To qualify, inmates must have served at least one year, not have violent or sex offense convictions, maintain good conduct, and find employment or education (unless disabled), while also having no active warrants. The bill mandates electronic monitoring for participants and requires the Department of Corrections to notify victims of the application, provide them 10 days to submit feedback, and consider this input before approving placements. It also mandates the Department to ensure equitable access to monitoring technology and evaluate program effectiveness after 12 months using metrics like participant numbers and return-to-custody rates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes home confinement for non-violent offenders with electronic monitoring, reducing incarceration and promoting rehabilitation via employment/education requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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failed · Arizona · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 1512: vulnerable adults; theft; definitions

SB 1512 amends Arizona's theft statutes to specifically address property crimes involving vulnerable adults. It creates a new theft offense when someone in a position of trust (like a caregiver, family member, or fiduciary) takes a vulnerable adult's property with intent to deprive them, defined as an adult 18+ unable to protect themselves due to physical or mental impairment. Key provisions include requiring proof of trust-based control (not just general theft), listing defenses like prior gift patterns or court approval, and applying standard felony classifications based on property value. The bill directly affects vulnerable adults and those acting in trusted roles, clarifying when such actions constitute theft under Arizona law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specific theft offense for vulnerable adults in trust relationships, strengthening legal protections within criminal justice system by targeting exploitation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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