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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: FMAE DP 6-0-0-1 |
HB 2226: processing arrestees; veteran status
Sponsor: Representative Blackman, LD 7
House Engrossed
Overview
Requires a court to inquire about a person's veteran status and outlines procedures for potential alternative programs if the person is confirmed to be a veteran.
History
Veteran Courts involve a process that includes the prosecutor, defense counsel, judge and sometimes the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) or the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and other community support organizations. Veterans Court is meant to rehabilitate and restore veterans as active, contributing members of their community.
Veteran Courts programs focus on veterans who are currently in or entering the criminal justice system. Veteran Courts create and supervise treatment plans to address the underlying causes of the veteran's behavior or substance abuse issues.
Issues commonly addressed by Veterans Courts are PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, anger issues, domestic violence, alcohol abuse and drug abuse (ADVS, Veteran Courts).
Provisions
1. Requires a court to inquire of a person's status as a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces at the person's initial appearance hearing. (Sec. 1)
2. Prohibits a person's response regarding their veteran status from being used against them in criminal proceedings unless the person falsely attests that they are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. (Sec. 1)
3. Directs a court to notify the prosecuting agency of a person's veteran status if the court determines that the person is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. (Sec. 1)
4. States that, on notification of a person's veteran status from a court, the prosecuting agency is required to provide information to the person regarding services that are provided by ADVS unless the person is charged with certain outlined offenses. (Sec. 1)
5. Requires a court to consider referring the person to a Veterans Court or another appropriate treatment court or diversion program unless the person is charged with certain outlined offenses. (Sec. 1)
6. Provides that if a person's status as a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces is in question, the prosecuting agency must give the person or the person's attorney an opportunity to prove the person's veteran status through official documentation. (Sec. 1)
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10. Initials GG HB 2226
11. 2/24/2026 Page 0 House Engrossed
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