Bill > SB1585

This bill establishes a new "sex offender surcharge fund" by imposing additional assessments on individuals convicted of sexual offenses, with the amount varying based on the severity of the felony or misdemeanor, and directs these collected funds to the state treasurer for deposit into this new fund, which will be administered by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to cover costs associated with the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB). The bill also amends existing law to clarify the duties and composition of the SOMB, including expanding its role in consulting with the legislature on proposed legislation related to sex offenses and requiring that any individual or entity providing sex offender-specific evaluation, treatment, or polygraph services must conform to the standards developed by the SOMB, with specific qualifications outlined for evaluators, treatment providers, and polygraph examiners, and mandates that DPS and other state agencies terminate contracts with providers who violate these standards. Additionally, the bill appropriates $200,000 and two full-time equivalent positions to DPS in fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the SOMB, and the new assessment provision will take effect on January 1, 2027.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/85216