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HB 2226 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

processing arrestees; veteran status

HB 2226 requires courts to ask arrestees at their first court hearing if they are U.S. military veterans. If confirmed (via documents like a DD-214), prosecutors must inform veterans about veterans' services and refer them to veterans' courts or treatment programs - unless the person faces serious charges like violent crimes or crimes against children. The bill directly affects veterans arrested for non-serious offenses, creating a pathway to specialized support instead of standard criminal proceedings. It does not change existing criminal penalties but adds a procedural step for veterans' case processing.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates diversion for veterans with non-serious offenses to treatment programs and veterans' courts, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRefers veterans to treatment programs, facilitating access to healthcare services like mental health support without restricting coverage or funding.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates courts to identify veterans and refer to specialized support programs, recognizing status and providing access to services instead of standard criminal proceedings.90% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Signed Jun 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Engrossed Version (04/08/2026) → Chaptered Version · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was formally enacted into law after being approved by the Governor on June 19, 2026, and filed with the Secretary of State on June 22, 2026. The document was reclassified from a 'Senate Engrossed Version' to a 'Chaptered Version,' indicating it has completed the legislative process and is now official state law. The substantive text of the bill, which amends Arizona Revised Statutes regarding veteran status documentation, remains unchanged.
Scope change
The bill's scope of applicability to veteran status documentation requirements remains unchanged; only its legal status was updated from a draft version to an enacted law.
TIMELINE

Added official enactment dates: approved by the Governor on June 19, 2026, and filed with the Secretary of State on June 22, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Removed draft headers and versioning labels such as 'Senate Engrossed Version' and deleted page markers.

Changed the document title from 'HB2226' to 'CHAPTER 193' to reflect its new status as an enacted law.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 8, 2026 · House Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

28–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 30
Apr 8, 2026
D Democratic13
12 Yea 1
92% Yea
R Republican17
16 Yea 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
8
Committee
1
Amendments
3
Jun 19, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
DPA
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
DPA
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
DP
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Walt Blackman
Walt Blackman
RRepublican
AZ
7