HB 2653 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

victims; disclosure requirements; witnesses; names

HB 2653 requires Arizona law enforcement and prosecutors to redact victims' personal details - including names, addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers - from public records and case disclosures in criminal cases, unless specific exceptions apply. Victims can request this redaction if disclosure might lead to harassment, threats, or witness tampering. Exceptions include when the victim (or their representative for minors) consents, a court orders disclosure, or the information is needed for a defendant's constitutional rights. The bill also clarifies that a victim's address may still be disclosed in body-worn camera footage if the defendant already knows it due to a domestic relationship.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Signed Apr 18, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Version Chaptered Version · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized into a chapter with a specific effective date (April 18, 2025) and minor formatting corrections. The substantive policy changes involve clarifying when victim and witness names can be redacted from public records, specifically ensuring that rules requiring disclosure to 'parties' in legal proceedings are not used as an excuse to withhold information unless a court order exists.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on victim and witness privacy in public records, but the final text clarifies exceptions for legal proceedings.
REQUIREMENT

Corrected a fragmented sentence regarding court-ordered disclosures to ensure it clearly applies only when a court orders release or a rule of procedure requires it for a party.

Refined the criteria for redacting witness names to explicitly require that releasing the name would result in harassment, threats, or tampering.

TIMELINE

Added the official approval date by the Governor and filing date with the Secretary of State, establishing April 18, 2025, as the effective date.

TECHNICAL

Removed draft markers and placeholder text used during the legislative process.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 16, 2025 · House Feb 26, 2025

How they voted

227
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
Apr 16, 2025
D Democratic13
5 Yea 7 Nay 1
53% Nay
R Republican17
17 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
6
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Apr 18, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
DP
lower
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors