HB 2418 allocates $600,000 from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. The commission must distribute this funding evenly to the five existing major incident task forces as of the bill's effective date. This funding supports these task forces' operations but does not create new policies or change eligibility for assistance.
HB 2862 makes it a misdemeanor to wear a mask to conceal one's identity at public assemblies (gatherings of 10+ people in public or permitted spaces). It specifically prohibits this behavior, with exceptions for holiday costumes, religious attire, medical devices, occupational safety gear, athletic equipment, and law enforcement use. The law classifies a first offense as a class 3 misdemeanor and repeat violations as a class 1 misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals attending public gatherings who wear face-covering masks without qualifying for an exemption.
Arizona's HB 2870 prohibits individuals convicted of "dangerous crimes against children" (classified as level 3 sex offenders under Arizona law) from living within 1,000 feet of schools (K-8 or 9-12), child care facilities, or their former victim's residence. Exceptions include those living there before a school opened, minors, people on probation, or those with written victim consent. Violations are punishable as a class 1 misdemeanor for first offenses and a class 6 felony for repeat offenses involving victims. The bill also prevents cities or counties from enacting stricter distance restrictions than the state law.
This Arizona bill (HB 2364) bans mailing, shipping, or delivering abortion-inducing drugs via courier, delivery, or mail services. It makes selling such drugs through these methods a class 5 felony (or class 4 for healthcare workers acting in their job), and receiving them this way a class 1 misdemeanor. The law specifically excludes drugs prescribed for non-abortion medical purposes. It defines "abortion-inducing drug" as any substance used for medication abortion.
HB 2825 amends Arizona law to change how courts handle cases where defendants fail to pay court-ordered fines, fees, restitution, or incarceration costs. It requires courts to hold hearings to determine if nonpayment is willful (intentional refusal to pay) before imposing penalties like jail time, explicitly prohibiting incarceration solely due to inability to pay. The bill mandates clear written notices in plain language for defendants about their hearing rights and financial hardship evidence, and allows courts to enter a civil default judgment if defendants skip hearings without valid reason. This directly affects individuals owing court-ordered payments, prosecutors, victims seeking restitution, and courts managing these cases.
HB 2976 strengthens due process protections for Arizona justices of the peace when state or county entities take administrative actions that affect their statutory duties, such as changing authority or imposing new operational costs. The bill requires these entities to provide written notice, a hearing before an independent officer, clear evidence, and the right to counsel before making such decisions. It also mandates that administrative orders affecting justice courts be reported to the legislature within 10 days with fiscal impact statements, and prevents counties from implementing new requirements without state funding. This directly impacts elected justices of the peace, county governments, and state/county administrative bodies overseeing justice courts.
HB 2207 appropriates $300,000 from Arizona's state general fund annually for the state Department of Corrections' braille transcription program, which provides braille materials to inmates. The bill requires the department to submit annual reports by October 15 each year, detailing the number of Arizona inmates and out-of-state inmates served. This increases the program's funding from $200,000 to $300,000 per year, with the legislature intending this as ongoing annual support. The program directly serves incarcerated individuals who require braille materials for education or communication.
HB 2966 amends Arizona's probation statute to require a minimum $65 monthly fee for most probationers, with exceptions for those unable to pay. The fee funds adult probation services, collected by courts and deposited into a county probation fund. Crucially, the bill prohibits courts from ending probation early for individuals convicted of "dangerous crimes against children" (as defined in AZ Rev. Stat. § 13-705). It applies broadly to all probationers but includes a specific restriction for those convicted of severe child-related offenses. The changes clarify fee collection procedures and reinforce that early probation termination is not permitted for these cases.
HB 2205 amends Arizona law to increase penalties for damaging specific protected locations, directly affecting property owners and individuals who damage these sites. It classifies aggravated criminal damage when property is defaced, damaged, or tampered with at places of worship, schools, cemeteries, or utility/infrastructure sites (e.g., for metal theft), with penalties escalating based on damage amount ($1,500-$10,000+) and location type. For instance, damaging a school with $10,000+ in damage becomes a class 4 felony, while similar damage to utility infrastructure is a class 3 felony. The bill defines "damage" to include repair costs, lost services, and abatement expenses, making it a criminal offense with felony classifications.
HB 4136 creates two new felony offenses for entering a residential structure where a vulnerable adult lives without permission. A general unlawful entry (Class 4 felony) requires the owner/caregiver to report the incident, while a sexual offense version (Class 3 felony) applies if the entry involves specific sexual crimes. The bill mandates immediate arrest by law enforcement and adds this violation to Arizona’s sex offender registration requirements under Section 13-3821. It directly affects individuals entering vulnerable adults’ homes without consent, with the owner/caregiver’s report triggering criminal penalties.
