Criminal Justice

vetoed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2811: obstructing governmental operations; lawful arrest

HB 2811 amends Arizona law to reclassify obstructing a lawful arrest as a class 5 felony (previously a class 1 misdemeanor), while keeping obstruction of other governmental functions as a misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals who physically block or interfere with police during a lawful arrest. The key provision specifies that using or threatening violence to hinder the "making of a lawful arrest" now carries felony penalties. This bill makes a concrete policy change by increasing criminal penalties for a specific type of obstruction during arrests.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies obstruction of lawful arrest from misdemeanor to felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

passed · Arizona · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2671: chronic felony offenders; juveniles

HB 2671 changes Arizona's rules for prosecuting juveniles (ages 14-17) as adults, specifically targeting those with prior felony convictions. It requires prosecutors to file notice if a juvenile is a "chronic felony offender" (defined as having two prior felony convictions classified as serious offenses), triggering a court hearing to confirm this status. If confirmed, the juvenile faces adult criminal sentencing; if not, the case transfers to juvenile court. This directly affects juveniles with prior felony convictions who commit new serious offenses, shifting jurisdiction from juvenile to criminal court. The bill creates a clear process for determining chronic offender status before trial.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates adult sentencing for juveniles with two prior serious felony convictions, reducing rehabilitation options and increasing mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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signed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2132: fentanyl; possession; sale; amount; sentencing

Arizona's HB 2132 increases penalties for fentanyl offenses. It sets a minimum 5-year prison sentence for selling or possessing fentanyl in amounts of 200 grams or more (with repeat offenses requiring 10+ years), replaces probation eligibility for these cases, and mandates a $2,000+ fine. Convicted individuals must also complete 360 hours of community service with substance abuse programs and undergo mandatory drug testing if on probation. The bill directly affects people convicted of fentanyl-related sales or possession above the threshold, aiming to strengthen sentencing for serious drug offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences (5+ years), removes probation eligibility, and expands criminalization of fentanyl offenses - directly opposing reform indicators like reduced sentencing and defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2767: early termination; sex offender registration

HB 2767 allows certain registered sex offenders in Arizona to petition a court for early termination of their registration requirement after meeting specific time thresholds: 10 years for offenses committed as an adult or 5 years for offenses committed as a juvenile. To qualify, petitioners must prove by clear evidence they have not committed new sex offenses, are not likely to reoffend, and pose no danger to others. The court must hold a hearing with victim notification, and if denied, must state specific reasons for the decision. Petitioners can appeal denials to the court of appeals within 30 days. This bill directly affects individuals already subject to long-term registration under Arizona law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables early termination of sex offender registration after rehabilitation period, reducing long-term burden and promoting reintegration - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Victims' Rights

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passed both · Arizona · Senate Jun 12, 2026

SB 1110: home confinement; eligibility; electronic monitoring.

SB 1110 establishes Arizona's home confinement program for eligible inmates, directly affecting those serving sentences for specific non-violent felonies who meet strict criteria. To qualify, inmates must have served at least one year, not have violent or sex offense convictions, maintain good conduct, and find employment or education (unless disabled), while also having no active warrants. The bill mandates electronic monitoring for participants and requires the Department of Corrections to notify victims of the application, provide them 10 days to submit feedback, and consider this input before approving placements. It also mandates the Department to ensure equitable access to monitoring technology and evaluate program effectiveness after 12 months using metrics like participant numbers and return-to-custody rates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes home confinement for non-violent offenders with electronic monitoring, reducing incarceration and promoting rehabilitation via employment/education requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1352: domestic violence; definition; animal abuse

SB 1352 expands Arizona’s definition of domestic violence to include more relationship types, such as current or former romantic/sexual partners, and clarifies when law enforcement must arrest individuals for domestic violence offenses involving physical injury or weapons. It requires officers to temporarily seize firearms during domestic violence calls if they believe the firearm poses a risk of serious harm to victims or household members, with specific procedures for holding firearms for 72 hours and notifying victims. The bill also mandates that officers inform victims about available protections (like restraining orders) and establishes a court process for returning firearms after a hearing if the risk no longer exists. Importantly, this bill does not address animal abuse, despite the title suggesting it. The changes directly affect victims, defendants, and law enforcement officers responding to domestic violence incidents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands domestic violence definitions and mandates firearm seizures during calls to prevent harm, strengthening victim protections and law enforcement protocols within criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

Track

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2359: adult incarceration contractors; public records

HB 2359 requires private prison contractors in Arizona to reimburse the state or local governments for emergency, public safety, or security services they receive. It also mandates that these contractors maintain complete, accurate records of all services provided. The bill classifies private incarceration contractors as "public bodies" under Arizona's public records law (Title 39), making their records subject to public access. This directly affects companies contracted by government entities to operate adult incarceration facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClassifies private prison contractors as public bodies under public records law, enhancing transparency and accountability in corrections oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

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

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2556: special plate: law enforcement support

HB 2556 creates "law enforcement support special plates" for Arizona vehicle owners. To obtain these plates, individuals must pay a one-time $32,000 fee to the state department (not an annual fee), which funds the program. The $25 annual special plate fee includes a $17 contribution to a dedicated law enforcement support fund, with the remaining $8 covering administrative costs. This affects only owners who choose to purchase these specific plates, not all drivers. The plates must be designed by the payer (with state approval) and may be combined with personalized plate requests.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates dedicated law enforcement support fund via special plates, explicitly funding personnel/resources through $17 annual contribution per plate buyer.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2720: prostitution; assessment; anti-human trafficking fund

HB 2720 requires courts to collect a $200 mandatory assessment from individuals convicted of paying for sex (a specific violation under Arizona law), which cannot be waived. The funds from these assessments flow directly into Arizona’s Anti-Human Trafficking Grant Fund, established under Section 41-1736. This fund provides money to support programs that assist trafficking victims, aid law enforcement in combating trafficking, and offer public training on identifying trafficking. The bill does not change prostitution penalties but links fines from specific prostitution-related convictions to anti-trafficking initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds anti-human trafficking programs via mandatory assessments, supporting victim services and law enforcement efforts under criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement