Criminal Justice

signed · Arizona · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 4117: disturbing religious services; worship

HB 4117 makes it a class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly disturb religious services through indecent behavior, profane language, or unnecessary noise near the worship space. It directly affects individuals who disrupt the order and solemnity of religious gatherings, whether inside the venue or nearby. The law specifically targets actions that disturb the "assemblage of persons who have met for religious worship," not general public conduct. This bill, which passed the Arizona House on February 26, 2026, creates a new criminal penalty for such disruptions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new misdemeanor offense for disrupting religious services, increasing penalties rather than advancing reform or reducing criminalization.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Arizona · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 1669: sexual offenses; victim; evidence

SB 1669 restricts the use of a sexual assault victim's past sexual history as evidence in court, generally barring reputation or opinion evidence about their chastity. It allows limited exceptions only for evidence about the victim's past sexual conduct with the defendant, specific instances showing the source of physical evidence (like semen or pregnancy), evidence supporting a motive for false accusations, impeachment of the victim, or prior false allegations against others. Before any such evidence can be presented, a judge must hold a pretrial hearing and determine admissibility using the "clear and convincing evidence" standard. This law directly affects criminal trials for sexual offenses under Arizona statutes (including sections 13-1421, 13-3212, and chapter 35), aiming to limit prejudicial questioning of victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts use of victim's past sexual history in court, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect victims' rights and reduce trauma in sexual assault cases.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Arizona · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 2941: motorcycles; reckless driving

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory 20-day jail time and license suspension for motorcycle traffic violations, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing without reform elements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for motorcycle traffic violations to enhance road safety, directly strengthening transportation safety standards under vehicle regulations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

vetoed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 4056: technical correction; double punishment

HB 4056 amends Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-116 to clarify that when an act violates multiple laws, sentences must run concurrently (served at the same time), not consecutively. It also states that a conviction or acquittal under one law bars prosecution for the same act under another law, aligning with constitutional protections against double jeopardy. This technical correction directly affects criminal defendants in Arizona who face charges under multiple statutes for the same conduct. The bill passed the Arizona House of Representatives on March 3, 2026, and was referred to the Senate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies concurrent sentencing and double jeopardy protections, preventing multiple punishments for same act, strengthening defendant rights in criminal justice.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 2771: community supervision; rehabilitation; costs

HB 2771 requires individuals on community supervision (probation) in Arizona to pay a $65 monthly fee unless they demonstrate inability to pay. Seventy percent of these fees fund victim compensation programs, while 30% supports community corrections services. The bill also allows charging probationers for actual costs of drug testing or rehabilitation programs, with collected funds limited to covering those specific program expenses. It directly affects people under probation supervision by creating new financial obligations tied to supervision and treatment services.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes mandatory fees on probationers for rehabilitation services, creating financial barriers that hinder access to treatment and contradict reform goals of reducing recidivism through accessible support.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 2662: parenting time; expert testimony; qualifications

HB 2662 (Arizona) sets standards for expert testimony in parenting time cases where domestic violence or abuse is alleged. It requires courts to admit only testimony from experts with specific clinical experience supporting victims of domestic violence - not just forensic expertise - and limits evidence to scientifically validated methods. The bill prohibits the use of polygraphs, voice-stress analysis, or unproven psychological measures in these proceedings. This directly affects courts, experts testifying in custody disputes, and parents involved in cases with domestic violence allegations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires scientifically validated evidence in domestic violence cases, protecting victims and ensuring fair court proceedings within criminal justice context.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Arizona · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 1476: child neglect; prenatal substance exposure

SB 1476 modifies Arizona law to address child neglect cases involving prenatal substance exposure. It creates an affirmative defense for mothers who completed alcohol or drug treatment during pregnancy, preventing them from being charged with child neglect for that specific conduct. The bill specifies that child neglect related to untreated prenatal substance use remains a class 6 felony, but the defense applies if treatment was completed. This directly affects mothers facing neglect charges due to substance use during pregnancy who have accessed treatment services. The policy change shifts legal consequences for a defined subset of cases without altering general neglect definitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates affirmative defense for mothers completing treatment, reducing criminal charges for prenatal substance use and prioritizing rehabilitation over prosecution, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates legal incentive for prenatal substance treatment by removing neglect charges for mothers who completed care, encouraging healthcare access without restricting services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · Arizona · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 2048: orders of protection; process servers

HB 2048 amends Arizona's order of protection procedures to clarify and streamline the process for victims of domestic violence. It allows minors, third parties acting on behalf of incapacitated individuals, and others to file petitions, requires courts to review petitions without a hearing if reasonable cause exists, and specifies that orders can include restrictions on contact, exclusive residence possession, firearm prohibitions, and animal custody. The bill eliminates filing and service fees, mandates courts provide information about local emergency and counseling services, and prohibits mutual orders of protection while requiring consolidation of opposing petitions. This directly affects domestic violence victims, alleged abusers, and courts handling these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStreamlines victim access to protection orders, removes fees, aligns with victim rights in criminal justice system85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Arizona · House May 5, 2026

HB 4143: 2026-2027; criminal justice.

This bill requires the Arizona Department of Corrections to submit an annual report on prison bed capacity to the joint legislative budget committee by November 1 each year. The report must detail the number of available beds for different security levels and genders at both state facilities and private prisons, including data from the previous two years and projections for the current year. It also mandates explanations for why permanent beds are removed instead of temporary ones, along with plans for any future closures of 100 or more beds that must be reviewed before implementation. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates transparency in prison capacity and bed management, enhancing oversight and accountability within the corrections system.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2665: manslaughter; online advice; encouragement

HB 2665 amends Arizona's manslaughter law to create a new offense: intentionally providing advice or encouragement to a minor about suicide, knowing the minor intends to die by suicide. This specifically targets adults who engage in direct online communications (like social media posts, texts, or tagged messages) aimed at a minor who is suicidal. The law defines "directed communication" to include specific online interactions with the minor, but excludes general public discussions about suicide. Violating this provision is classified as a class 2 felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for online suicide encouragement, expanding criminalization of communications rather than advancing reform or protecting rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice