Criminal Justice

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 2420: firearm sales; transfers; background checks

HB 2420 requires private firearm sales or transfers between non-licensed individuals to occur through a licensed firearms dealer who conducts a background check. This directly affects private sellers and buyers who are not licensed dealers, mandating they use a dealer to complete the transaction and verify the buyer’s eligibility under federal and state law. Key provisions include the dealer performing a background check (via the National Instant Criminal Background Check System), charging a $20 fee for this service, and prohibiting transfers if the buyer is legally barred from owning firearms. Exceptions cover law enforcement, gunsmiths, temporary transfers for safety, family gifts, antique firearms, and specific recreational loans, but violations carry a class 5 felony penalty.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates background checks for private gun sales to prevent prohibited access, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2646: children's bill of rights

HB 2646 establishes three fundamental rights for Arizona children: the right to maintain relationships with parents (including visitation during parental incarceration), access to confidential health care services (such as contraception, STI treatment, and mental health care without parental consent), and enrollment in public schools with in-person instruction. The bill requires any law affecting these rights to prioritize the child's best interest and be narrowly tailored to a compelling government interest. It specifically allows children to consent to certain health services independently and overrides parental direction regarding public school enrollment. The law applies directly to Arizona children and their parents or legal guardians.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses parental visitation during incarceration (corrections aspect) and prioritizes child's best interest, aligning with family-centered criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees in-person school enrollment access, protecting educational access for students per bill's core provisions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly grants minors confidential access to mental health care and other health services without parental consent, protecting patient rights and improving access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Women's Health

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 2205: criminal damage; trespassing; critical facilities

HB 2205 amends Arizona law to increase penalties for damaging specific protected locations, directly affecting property owners and individuals who damage these sites. It classifies aggravated criminal damage when property is defaced, damaged, or tampered with at places of worship, schools, cemeteries, or utility/infrastructure sites (e.g., for metal theft), with penalties escalating based on damage amount ($1,500-$10,000+) and location type. For instance, damaging a school with $10,000+ in damage becomes a class 4 felony, while similar damage to utility infrastructure is a class 3 felony. The bill defines "damage" to include repair costs, lost services, and abatement expenses, making it a criminal offense with felony classifications.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for damaging protected locations, expanding criminalization of property damage offenses without reform elements.95% confidence

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1263: law enforcement; identification; masks; prohibitions.

SB 1263 requires Arizona law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies mandating that peace officers visibly display their name or badge number during most law enforcement duties, with limited exceptions for undercover operations, tactical gear, or imminent safety threats. It also prohibits officers from wearing facial coverings that conceal their identity while performing duties, except during undercover work or tactical operations requiring protective gear. The bill directly affects all state and local law enforcement agencies and their officers, imposing civil liability ($10,000 or actual damages) if an officer violates the policy and causes harm. These provisions aim to increase officer transparency and accountability during public interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates visible officer identification and prohibits mask concealment (except exceptions), enhancing police accountability and transparency - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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failed · Arizona · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 1093: riot; planning; participation; racketeering

SB 1093 amends Arizona's conspiracy statute (A.R.S. § 13-1003) and defines key terms for extortion and criminal activity (A.R.S. § 13-2301). It clarifies that conspiracy to commit a class 1 felony carries a life sentence without parole for 25 years, expands conspiracy liability when co-conspirators collaborate with others, and adds definitions like "extortionate extension of credit" (involving threats of violence for debt repayment) and "animal or ecological terrorism" (requiring property damage over $10,000 and three-person coordination). The bill directly affects individuals accused of conspiracy, extortion, or property crimes involving animal facilities. It is a procedural statute updating legal definitions and penalties, not a new policy on public order or riots.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands conspiracy liability with life sentence without parole for class 1 felony conspiracy, increasing mandatory penalties and criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2865: prohibited possessor; definition

HB 2865, titled "Jordin's Law," clarifies Arizona's definition of a "prohibited possessor" under firearm laws by amending Section 13-3101 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. It specifies who is barred from possessing firearms, including individuals convicted of felonies (with rights not restored), undocumented immigrants (with exceptions for hunters, shooting event participants, or diplomats), people subject to certain court orders (like mental health holds or domestic violence protection orders), and those serving prison terms or probation for violent offenses. The bill also defines "prohibited weapons," such as short-barreled rifles or machine guns, but states these definitions do not override federal law compliance. This is a definitional update to existing law, not a new restriction on firearm access.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by clarifying prohibited firearm possession categories, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of restricting access and expanding restrictions.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts firearm access for undocumented immigrants (with limited exceptions), directly limiting their rights under state law per bill's definition of 'prohibited possessor'90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Firearms

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1109: transition program; eligibility; dangerous offenses

SB 1109 modifies Arizona's prison transition program by establishing strict eligibility requirements for inmates seeking community-based services after release. It bars individuals convicted of sexual offenses, certain dangerous or violent crimes (with limited exceptions for assault, aggravated assault, or robbery), or those with felony detainers, recent major rule violations, or unmet programming progress. The program must provide up to 90 days of community services - including counseling, job placement, and substance abuse treatment - and requires notifying victims of potential early release with a 20-day objection window. The state department must annually report recidivism rates, participant numbers, and service types to the governor and legislature by July 31.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts eligibility for prison transition program, reducing access to rehabilitation services for offenders with violent or sexual convictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 1550: appropriation; Queen Creek; law enforcement

SB 1550 allocates $1.255 million from the state general fund to fund a three-year pilot program for Queen Creek's police department. The program directly affects youth in Queen Creek by focusing on preventing runaway incidents, protecting at-risk youth from exploitation, and enhancing police investigations through collaboration with care providers and state agencies. It aims to create a model framework for statewide replication of effective youth safety strategies. The funding is exempt from standard appropriation rules that would otherwise cause it to lapse.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.255M from state general fund for youth safety program, directly funding a public service initiative through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $1.255M for youth safety pilot focusing on prevention, at-risk youth protection, and police-care provider collaboration to reduce runaway incidents and exploitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 2870: residence of sex offenders; regulation

Arizona's HB 2870 prohibits individuals convicted of "dangerous crimes against children" (classified as level 3 sex offenders under Arizona law) from living within 1,000 feet of schools (K-8 or 9-12), child care facilities, or their former victim's residence. Exceptions include those living there before a school opened, minors, people on probation, or those with written victim consent. Violations are punishable as a class 1 misdemeanor for first offenses and a class 6 felony for repeat offenses involving victims. The bill also prevents cities or counties from enacting stricter distance restrictions than the state law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization via residence restrictions for sex offenders, matching 'oppose' indicator of increased punitive measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2749: felony conviction; sentence completion; designation

This Arizona bill (HB 2749) allows courts to reclassify certain non-violent felony convictions as misdemeanors under strict conditions. It applies to people convicted of Class 4, 5, or 6 felonies without a victim, who have no prior felony convictions, completed all sentence terms (including fines), waited five years since conviction, and have no subsequent offenses involving victims or felonies. The court must determine the reclassification serves the interest of justice. This change directly affects eligible individuals by potentially reducing their criminal record severity, but only if all five specified conditions are met.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reclassifies non-violent felonies to misdemeanors under strict conditions, reducing long-term penalties and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts