Bill > HB2388

This bill amends Arizona law regarding silent witness, crime stopper, and operation game thief programs to enhance the protection of anonymous tipsters' identities. The bill establishes that communications and records from anonymous tips are not public records and introduces strict guidelines for protecting the identity of individuals who submit tips. Specifically, the bill prohibits the disclosure of information that could identify an anonymous tipster, with exceptions only when required by constitutional, legal, or ethical duties. If someone wants to obtain identifying information about an anonymous tipster, they must file a motion in Superior Court and demonstrate "good cause," such as evidence that the tip was motivated by bias or is necessary for investigating a defense. The bill also requires these programs to retain tip materials until at least one year after all appeals and post-conviction matters are resolved or appeal rights are exhausted in civil proceedings. The goal is to encourage people to report criminal activity without fear of their identity being revealed, while still maintaining a legal mechanism for potentially accessing tip information under limited, court-approved circumstances.

Justice, Military Affairs and Security

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82177