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.
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.
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.
HCR 2026 would allow individuals convicted of personal possession or use of controlled substances or drug paraphernalia to receive probation instead of immediate jail time, requiring participation in drug treatment or education programs. It mandates that courts place offenders on probation with treatment as a condition, and they must pay for programs based on their ability to pay. Exceptions include those convicted of violent crimes, three or more prior drug possession offenses, refusal to participate in treatment, or offenses involving methamphetamine or fentanyl (without a valid medical prescription). This proposal must be approved by Arizona voters to become law, as it is structured as a referendum measure.
SB 1314 allocates state funds for salary increases for specific public safety and corrections employees in Arizona for fiscal year 2026-2027. It provides a 14% pay raise for correctional officers in the state Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Corrections, a 10% raise for all Department of Public Safety employees, and a 15% raise for state-funded probation officers and staff at the Administrative Office of the Courts. The bill directs appropriations from the state general fund, though exact dollar amounts are unspecified in the text. This legislation directly affects over 10,000 state employees across these departments through mandated pay adjustments.
SB 1319 allows Arizona courts to reduce prison sentences for individuals convicted of felonies committed before their 21st birthday, provided they have served at least 15 years or 50% of their sentence. Courts must consider factors like the defendant’s youth, rehabilitation, maturity, victim input, and diminished culpability due to age before granting a reduction. The bill prohibits reducing sentences below minimum terms or imposing life sentences, while requiring courts to notify victims and follow victim rights procedures. It directly affects adults convicted as adults for offenses committed under age 21 who meet the service requirements. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (Senate first and second readings).
SB 1317 appropriates $20 million from Arizona’s consumer restitution fund to the Attorney General for grants to counties. These grants fund coordinated reentry planning services programs designed to support individuals transitioning from incarceration back into communities. Counties receiving funds must establish coalitions, hire dedicated jail-based staff, implement a statewide recidivism tracking database, create data-sharing agreements, and use screening tools within a two-year grant cycle. The bill requires grantees to demonstrate these specific program elements and commit to local funding contributions before receiving funds.
HB 2586 appropriates $1 million annually from 2026-2029 from the special services fund to Arizona's Department of Corrections for holistic studio-based rehabilitative programming. This funding directly supports incarcerated individuals through structured, creative interventions aimed at reducing self-harm, disciplinary incidents, and repeat offenses. The bill requires the Department to submit a detailed report by June 2030, documenting program outcomes including data on reduced self-harm, disciplinary actions, and recidivism rates. It does not change existing laws but allocates specific funds for evidence-based rehabilitation programs with measurable reporting requirements.
HB 2941 amends Arizona law to classify operating a motorcycle in violation of specific traffic rules (sections 28-903 B/C) as reckless driving. This directly affects motorcycle riders who commit such violations, increasing penalties for repeat offenses within 24 months. For second or subsequent violations, the law mandates a minimum 20-day jail sentence before eligibility for probation and imposes a one-year license suspension, with a restricted license option available after 45 days of suspension. The bill also requires judges to order license surrender and report convictions to the state department.
SB 1295 creates a process for releasing Arizona inmates who are elderly or disabled to medical facilities. It requires inmates to first pass a preliminary eligibility check (based on age, disability, citizenship, and residency), then receive approval from Arizona's long-term care system. The bill mandates that victims of the inmate's crime be notified of the release and provides a mechanism for returning inmates to prison if they lose long-term care eligibility. This directly affects inmates qualifying for Arizona's long-term care system, which includes assisted living facilities or healthcare institutions contracted with the state.
