News & Commentary

This year, there was great momentum for meaningful criminal justice reform to finally become law in Arizona. But despite overwhelming, bipartisan support in the Arizona House of Representatives, the Arizona Senate failed to hear several impactful bills—effectively killing them.

HB 2123 would restrict public school districts and charter schools from suspending or expelling students younger than seven years old.

Elected officials blocking constituents is nothing new.

This week continues to be busy for criminal legal reform advocates at the Legislature. Here are some important bills to keep an eye on.

Update on Feb. 10, 2021: HB 2713 and HB 2320 passed unanimously through committee. HB 2485 was replaced with a strike everything amendment that completely changed the bill. We will continue staying vigilant against other anti-protest bills, like HB 2309 and SB 1125.

This legislative session, ACLU Smart Justice Arizona is continuing to advocate for much-needed reforms to the criminal legal system. Two important bills will be heard in committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 and we will be there virtually to testify in support.

This legislative session, ACLU Smart Justice Arizona is continuing to advocate for much-needed reforms to the criminal legal system. Two important bills will be heard in committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 and we will be there virtually to testify in support.

As COVID-19 rages across Arizona, it continues to wreak havoc on the lives of incarcerated people. So far, at least 46 people have died of COVID-19 while living in an Arizona prison. Those are only the deaths that the Arizona Department of Corrections(ADOC) has told us about.

Let's get to work.