Criminal Justice (Corrections)

signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2440: prisoners; transition program

HB 2440 establishes a 90-day community transition program for eligible Arizona inmates, requiring the Department of Corrections to partner with private or nonprofit entities to provide services like job placement, substance abuse treatment, and family reunification counseling. To qualify, inmates must meet specific criteria (e.g., no recent violent convictions or felony detainers) and agree to provide information for a department report, while victims must receive notice before release. The bill mandates annual reporting on recidivism rates, program participation, and service types, with special provisions allowing eligibility for some inmates convicted of certain drug offenses. It also allows a one-time 90-day extension for inmates needing additional support to address specific risk factors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes rehabilitation-focused transition program with job placement and treatment services to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncludes substance abuse treatment as required service, supporting mental health access for inmates transitioning to community85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2770: home confinement; eligibility; electronic monitoring

HB 2770 establishes a home confinement program for eligible Arizona inmates, allowing them to serve sentences at home under electronic monitoring instead of in prison. It applies to inmates who have served at least one year of their sentence, committed specific non-violent felonies (like certain class 4-6 offenses), and meet other criteria like no violent history or active warrants. Key provisions require electronic monitoring, victim notification and feedback before approval, a monthly supervision fee (with ability to waive based on inability to pay), and a 1:50 officer-to-participant ratio. The program phases in starting December 2026 based on remaining sentence time, directly affecting qualifying inmates, victims, and corrections staff managing the program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes home confinement for non-violent offenders, reducing prison reliance and promoting community-based sentencing - key criminal justice reform measure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2825: fines; fees; assessments; restitution; nonpayment

HB 2825 amends Arizona law to change how courts handle cases where defendants fail to pay court-ordered fines, fees, restitution, or incarceration costs. It requires courts to hold hearings to determine if nonpayment is willful (intentional refusal to pay) before imposing penalties like jail time, explicitly prohibiting incarceration solely due to inability to pay. The bill mandates clear written notices in plain language for defendants about their hearing rights and financial hardship evidence, and allows courts to enter a civil default judgment if defendants skip hearings without valid reason. This directly affects individuals owing court-ordered payments, prosecutors, victims seeking restitution, and courts managing these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents jail time for inability to pay fines/fees, protecting defendants from poverty-based incarceration - a core criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

Track

signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2573: DUI; alternative treatment

HB 2573 modifies Arizona's DUI sentencing to offer an alternative treatment option for certain offenders. It allows judges to suspend all but one day of jail time for DUI convictions involving alcohol if the defendant successfully completes a court-ordered alcohol or drug screening, education, or treatment program. The bill also maintains existing penalties, including a $250 minimum fine, two $500 assessments (funding prison construction and public safety equipment), and mandatory ignition interlock devices for alcohol-related DUIs. This primarily affects individuals convicted of DUI under Arizona law, providing a pathway to reduce jail time through treatment participation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeOffers treatment alternatives over jail time for DUI, promoting rehabilitation and reducing incarceration - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 2191: unlawful use; sale; laughing gas

HB 2191 regulates the sale and use of inhalants containing toxic chemicals, such as nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") and aerosol paints/glues. It prohibits possession, inhalation, or sale of these substances to minors under 18, requires retailers to record purchaser details and store products securely, and classifies violations as felonies (with possible misdemeanor reductions). The law exempts medical/industrial use (e.g., food propellants, automotive applications) and parental transfers to children. It directly affects retailers selling such products, minors, and individuals using inhalants, with penalties including up to 1 year in jail for first offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by imposing felony charges for possession/sale of inhalants to minors, increasing penalties without reform elements95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents inhalant abuse (a public health hazard) through regulation, supporting public health programs under healthcare topic.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2498: aggravated driving; suspended; revoked; license

HB 2498 creates a new Class 5 felony for driving with a suspended, revoked, or canceled license when a person has five or more prior separate violations of this offense within 84 months (7 years). It directly affects individuals with repeated violations of Arizona's driving suspension laws, imposing a mandatory minimum 4-month prison sentence with no probation, suspension, or early release. The law applies only to offenses occurring on or after January 1, 2019, and counts multiple violations from the same incident as a single offense for the five-violation threshold. This bill does not change penalties for first-time or fewer violations, which remain misdemeanors under existing law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory 4-month prison sentence for repeat license violations without probation/early release, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights per criminal justice indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enforces stricter penalties for repeat driving violations with suspended licenses, enhancing road safety under vehicle regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing Driver Licensing

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signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2673: mental illness; prisoners; diagnosis; treatment.

HB 2673 requires Arizona county sheriffs and state correctional facilities to address mental health needs of incarcerated individuals. It mandates that prisoners showing symptoms of mental illness receive a licensed physician examination within 24 hours, ensures continuity of prescribed medications and treatments upon jail entry, and requires screening for prior mental illness diagnoses. For state facilities, it creates a process where prisoners displaying severe mental health symptoms may be transferred to specialized treatment facilities after a court hearing with appointed legal representation. The bill also requires quarterly condition reports from treatment facilities to correctional authorities and courts. This applies directly to prisoners in county jails (for misdemeanor cases) and state correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health assessments, treatment continuity, and screening for incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities, directly advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health assessments, treatment continuity, and screenings for incarcerated individuals, directly advancing mental health care access in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Mental Health

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2823: private prisons; contracts; prohibition

HB 2823 prohibits Arizona's Department of Corrections from renewing or creating new contracts with private prison operators that include a "minimum occupancy clause." This means the state cannot require private prisons to maintain a specific occupancy rate, and will only pay for the actual number of inmates physically housed at the facility. The bill directly affects the state department and private prison operators by changing how contracts are structured and paid. It applies to all new contracts or renewals after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits minimum occupancy clauses in private prison contracts, reducing financial incentives for over-incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2175: crimes; hostility towards victims; sentencing

Arizona's HB 2175 increases prison sentences for certain crimes committed "out of hostility toward a victim because of the victim's identity in a protected group" (as defined in state law). It applies to offenses like assault (Section 13-1203), criminal damage (Section 13-1602), and other felonies listed in the bill. If convicted under these circumstances, defendants face a 3- to 5-year sentence increase (depending on felony class) and cannot receive probation, suspended sentences, or early release until the full term is served. The law explicitly states it does not restrict constitutional free speech rights.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison sentences for hate crimes, removes probation/early release options, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and reduced defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Sentencing

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signed · Arizona · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 1275: mandatory prison sentences; judicial discretion

This bill allows judges to impose lighter prison sentences or probation instead of mandatory prison terms for certain defendants with mental health conditions linked to military service or first responder work. It requires judges to find that imposing the mandatory sentence would cause injustice, isn't needed for public safety, and the condition relates to the defendant's military or first responder role. The law excludes cases involving death, serious injury, domestic violence, or ongoing criminal activity. Judges must state their reasoning on the record when deviating from mandatory sentences.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces mandatory sentences for veterans/emergency responders with service-linked mental health conditions, promoting judicial discretion and sentencing reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires judicial consideration of mental health conditions linked to military/first responder roles in sentencing, promoting treatment alternatives over incarceration for mental health needs.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides judicial discretion to avoid mandatory prison terms for veterans with service-connected mental health conditions, preventing unjust punishment and protecting veterans' interests.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing Mental Health Veteran Mental Health