Criminal Justice

introduced · Arizona · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 1766: inmate labor; wages

SB 1766 sets minimum wage standards for prisoners working in Arizona state prisons or contracted private prisons under the prison industries program. It requires at least $1.50 per hour for most prison labor and $2 per hour for private prison contracts, with compensation based on work quality and skill. The bill mandates deductions from prisoner earnings for court fees, dependent care, a transition program, and room and board, with remaining funds placed in a retention account accessible upon release. Prisoners are explicitly not considered employees and do not qualify for workers' compensation benefits. This law directly affects incarcerated individuals participating in Arizona's prison work programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets minimum wages for prison labor, promoting fair compensation and rehabilitation opportunities within corrections reform.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes minimum wage standards ($1.50-$2/hr) for prison labor, advancing compensation protections within employment context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Minimum Wage Workers' Compensation

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introduced · Arizona · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 4071: spousal maintenance; domestic violence

HB 4071 prohibits courts from granting spousal maintenance to a spouse who has been convicted of domestic violence against the "injured spouse" (the victim of the violence). It explicitly states that maintenance orders cannot be awarded when one spouse has a domestic violence conviction against the other, as defined in Arizona law. The bill amends spousal maintenance guidelines to clarify this restriction, ensuring courts cannot order financial support in cases involving domestic violence convictions. This directly affects individuals involved in divorce or legal separation proceedings where domestic violence convictions are present.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents financial support for domestic violence perpetrators, protecting victims and advancing accountability in criminal justice by aligning with reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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introduced · Arizona · House Jun 13, 2026

HB 4131: technical correction; veterans

HB 4131 amends Arizona law to change the penalty for knowingly making false statements under oath about veterans' claims from a misdemeanor to a class 5 felony. This technical correction directly affects individuals who submit false information when applying for or claiming veterans' benefits. The key provision updates Section 41-607 of the Arizona Revised Statutes to increase the criminal classification for this specific offense. The bill does not alter veterans' benefit eligibility or access, only the legal penalty for fraudulent claims.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases criminal penalty for false veterans' claims from misdemeanor to felony, expanding criminalization within sentencing framework.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill increases penalties for false claims about veterans' benefits, protecting the integrity of the system and ensuring legitimate veterans receive benefits without fraud.85% confidence

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introduced · Arizona · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 4008: crime-free lease addendum; renters

HB 4008 modifies Arizona rental property rules to limit how condominium associations and landlords can handle tenant information and lease terms. It specifically prohibits landlords from including unenforceable eviction clauses in "crime-free" lease addendums based on a tenant’s or guest’s criminal conviction, while allowing the use of such addendums for other purposes. The bill also restricts associations from demanding excessive tenant information (only name, contact, lease dates, and vehicle details are permitted), caps fees for required disclosures at $25 per new tenancy, and bans requirements for tenant credit reports or waivers limiting tenant rights. These changes directly affect rental property owners, condominium associations, and tenants in Arizona condominiums.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits using criminal convictions for eviction in leases, reducing housing discrimination for people with records - aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and aiding reentry.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from using criminal convictions for eviction in lease addendums, protecting tenants from discriminatory practices and strengthening tenant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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introduced · Arizona · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 4129: DPS; mental health; wellness; appropriation

HB 4129 creates a statewide mental health and wellness program for all Arizona law enforcement officers, prioritizing small agencies with 200 or fewer sworn officers. The program provides free, confidential access to counseling services - including crisis support, peer counseling, suicide prevention training, and telehealth for rural officers - while protecting all communications as private. It is funded with $15 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027, with $5 million specifically allocated for small agencies. The Department of Public Safety must submit annual reports to the legislature by 2027, tracking participation and suggesting improvements, to reduce officer burnout, suicide, and improve recruitment and retention.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15M from state general fund for law enforcement mental health program, advancing public service funding within fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds mental health program for law enforcement officers, promoting officer wellness and accountability within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health services for law enforcement via $15M appropriation, expanding access to counseling, crisis support, and suicide prevention training.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides confidential mental health services for law enforcement officers, enhancing workplace safety and wellness protections as part of employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Law Enforcement Mental Health Telehealth

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 1802: juveniles; hearing; sentence reduction

SB 1802 allows courts to reduce prison sentences for individuals sentenced to over 25 years for crimes committed before age 18. It requires a hearing where courts must consider factors like the defendant's age at the crime, rehabilitation efforts (e.g., completing education programs), family trauma history, and diminished juvenile culpability. The bill creates a presumption of sentence reduction unless the court finds the person poses a public safety threat, and mandates written reasoning for any denial. It also requires courts to appoint attorneys for defendants at hearings and allows for community supervision upon release. The bill does not affect eligibility for other sentence relief options.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces mandatory long sentences for juvenile offenders by mandating rehabilitation and age considerations, aligning with reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Arizona · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 4094: prisoners; release credits

HB 4094 modifies Arizona's prisoner release rules by requiring inmates to achieve an 8th-grade functional literacy level before earning early release credits, affecting inmates who haven't met this standard by their release eligibility date. The bill also expands victim notification rights, mandating that victims receive release notices 15 days in advance and have 20 days to object to early release. Additionally, it establishes a transition program providing up to 90 days of community services (like counseling and job training) for eligible inmates, with strict eligibility criteria excluding those convicted of sexual offenses or violent crimes. The Department of Corrections must annually report recidivism rates and program participation to state leaders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires 8th-grade literacy for early release credits, restricting inmate access to reduced sentences and delaying release.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 1770: juveniles; parole eligibility; release presumption

SB 1770 allows juveniles sentenced as adults to 25+ years for offenses committed before age 18 to become eligible for parole after serving 15 years. It requires parole hearings considering specific factors like the person’s age at the offense, rehabilitation efforts, family history, and diminished culpability of youth. The bill establishes a presumption in favor of release, which can only be overcome by evidence the individual remains a public safety risk. It also prohibits courts from imposing death, life without parole, or sentences totaling 25+ years for juvenile offenders. This applies to current and future juvenile offenders serving long sentences in Arizona.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 1770 establishes parole eligibility after 15 years for juvenile offenders sentenced as adults, creates a release presumption, and prioritizes rehabilitation/rehabilitation factors over punitive measures - directly advancing criminal justice ref...92% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 1796: DNA match tracking system; DPS

SB 1796 creates a statewide electronic DNA match tracking system in Arizona, requiring all law enforcement agencies (including municipal police, county sheriffs, and the Department of Public Safety) and prosecutors that submit DNA evidence to accredited crime labs to use it. The system automatically routes DNA match notifications from crime labs to relevant agencies, mandates reviews within five business days, and requires case updates - including whether matches relate to active investigations, investigative actions, or case closures - within 60 days of review. All data must comply with privacy laws, and information stored in the system cannot be used as evidence in court. Starting December 31, 2027, the Department of Public Safety must submit annual reports detailing system performance, including match counts, response times, and recommendations for improvement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates efficient DNA tracking system for faster case resolution and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 1804: law enforcement; cameras; data storage

SB 1804 requires Arizona law enforcement officers to delete all body-worn and dash camera footage 30 days after recording, unless the footage is needed for active criminal cases, potential civil liability claims, or ongoing criminal prosecutions. This rule applies directly to all Arizona law enforcement officers and their agencies. The bill mandates automatic deletion of routine footage after 30 days, with the three specified exceptions preserving footage for legal proceedings. The law would change current data retention practices for law enforcement video evidence in Arizona, focusing on limiting storage duration for non-essential recordings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates automatic deletion of routine body/dash cam footage after 30 days, reducing transparency and oversight of law enforcement actions.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates automatic deletion of law enforcement footage after 30 days, reducing data retention and enhancing data privacy protections per bill's core requirement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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