Criminal Justice

passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 1140: expungement of misdemeanor records

SB 1140 would allow eligible individuals to petition a court to remove certain misdemeanor arrest or conviction records from public access. This applies to people who were arrested without charges filed, had charges dismissed, received a not guilty verdict, or completed a misdemeanor conviction (after waiting three years, or five years for specific offenses like violations of Section 13-1805). To qualify, petitioners must have no pending legal cases or unpaid fines, and the court must approve the request after reviewing the petition. If approved, the court orders records sealed, making them inaccessible to the public but still available to the individual, their attorney, and law enforcement agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpungement of misdemeanor records reduces barriers to employment/rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and protecting civil rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 1317: appropriation; coordinated reentry program

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $20M from consumer restitution fund to fund county reentry programs, advancing fiscal allocation for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds reentry programs to reduce recidivism through coalition-building, staff hiring, and recidivism tracking database implementation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1673: appropriation; crime victim notification fund

SB 1673 allocates $5 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the existing law enforcement crime victim notification program under Arizona Revised Statutes §41-2414. This funding directly supports state and local law enforcement agencies that provide notification services to crime victims. The bill specifies that this appropriation is exempt from standard budget lapse rules, ensuring the funds remain available for the designated purpose. As a purely financial measure, it does not change eligibility for victim notifications or create new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M state funds to crime victim notification program, funding an essential public service without tax changes. Directly supports budget allocation for victim services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $5M to fund crime victim notification services under ARS §41-2414, directly supporting victim assistance within criminal justice system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1748: victims' rights; opt in process

SB 1748 requires Arizona law enforcement agencies to provide crime victims with clear materials allowing them to "opt in" to receive notifications about their case, including arrests, court dates, and case updates. Once a victim opts in (only once), they automatically receive notifications from all relevant state agencies without needing to repeat the request. Victims can also opt out at any time, and agencies must share this change across all departments. The bill streamlines communication while preserving existing victim rights under Arizona law, directly affecting all crime victims in Arizona who interact with law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances victim communication in criminal cases through streamlined notifications, supporting victim rights and improving transparency within the justice system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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failed · Arizona · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1537: peace officer fund; commission; repeal

SB 1537 modifies Arizona law to redirect $4 from each traffic diversion program fee and $4 from each traffic penalty assessment to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. This directly affects drivers who attend court-authorized traffic diversion programs (like defensive driving) or pay fines for traffic violations. The fund, established under Section 41-1731, is specifically designated for purchasing peace officer equipment and cannot be diverted to other state funds. The bill also repeals Section 41-1732, which was related to the fund's administration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects traffic fees to peace officer equipment fund, directly funding law enforcement resources per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1584: appropriation; DOC; recruitment; retention

SB 1584 allocates $1,000,000 from Arizona's general fund for the state Department of Corrections (DOC) during fiscal year 2026-2027 specifically for recruitment and training programs. This funding directly supports the DOC in hiring and training correctional staff. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on budget allocation without altering policies or creating new requirements. It has advanced to the Senate for further consideration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1M from general fund for DOC recruitment, increasing public service funding without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $1M for DOC recruitment/training, directly funding correctional staff needs, aligning with support indicators of resource allocation for criminal justice operations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1240: probation success incentive payments; calculation

SB 1240 creates payments to Arizona counties based on reducing probation failures compared to historical rates. Counties earn funds equal to 50% of prison cost savings per probationer kept out of prison (excluding those convicted of dangerous crimes against children), while the state allocates 25% of savings for statewide recidivism programs. Funds must be used for evidence-based services like drug treatment, job training, and probation officer training - not to replace existing budgets. The state calculates annual probation success rates using 2007-2019 data to determine payments and requires reporting on program effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds evidence-based rehab services (drug treatment, job training) to reduce recidivism and prison costs, directly advancing criminal justice reform through probation success incentives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds drug treatment (mental health service) as evidence-based probation program component, advancing healthcare access within recidivism reduction.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1239: sex offenders; statute of limitations

SB 1239 removes the statute of limitations for specific serious sex offenses and related crimes in Arizona, meaning prosecutors can file charges at any time, regardless of how long ago the offense occurred. This directly affects individuals accused of violent sexual assaults under Section 13-1423 or violations of Sections 13-2308.01, 13-2308.03, 13-3212, or 13-3824. The bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-107 to place these offenses in a category with no time limit for prosecution, while maintaining standard time limits (7 years for class 2-6 felonies, 1 year for misdemeanors) for other crimes. The change does not alter existing penalties but expands the window for prosecution of these specific offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves statute of limitations for serious sex offenses, enabling prosecution regardless of time elapsed, strengthening victim accountability and justice system effectiveness.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 1234: juvenile court proceedings; appointment; attorney

SB 1234 requires courts in Arizona to appoint attorneys for children in specific juvenile court cases, including delinquency cases involving detention, dependency proceedings, and termination of parental rights. It mandates that attorneys be appointed before the first hearing in delinquency cases and ensures representation for indigent parents seeking counsel. The bill also requires courts to appoint a guardian ad litem (who must be an attorney) in abuse or neglect cases to protect the child’s best interests, and sets deadlines for attorneys to meet with juveniles before key hearings. Counties may fund these appointments, and public defenders may serve in certain cases with court authorization. This law directly affects juveniles, parents, and court staff by standardizing legal representation in critical child welfare and justice proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires court-appointed attorneys for minors in delinquency cases, ensuring due process and protecting youth rights per criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 1544: probation records; disclosure; exemptions

SB 1544 makes most probation records in Arizona public under state disclosure laws, but exempts sensitive information like victim details, minors' identities, medical records, active investigations, and confidential informants. Requesters can access records unless specific exemptions apply, and probation departments must redact or withhold protected data with a written explanation within 10 business days. Those denied records may appeal to court within 20 days, where penalties or attorney fees could be imposed for noncompliance. The bill covers documents including violation reports, risk assessments, case summaries, and audit reports.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMakes probation records public with exemptions, enhancing transparency and accountability in criminal justice reform while protecting sensitive information.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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