The law creates a state grant fund for cities and counties to start or expand veterans' court programs, and requires the state prison system to share monthly lists of soon-to-be-released veterans with the Department of Veterans' Services so it can reach out about benefits.
Official title: veterans' court fund; grant program
- September 12, 2026
- December 31, 2026: First annual report by the Department of Corrections, in coordination with the Department of Veterans' Services, on identifying and assisting incarcerated veterans
What changes
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NowA veterans' specialty court grant program is created for Arizona cities, towns and counties to start new veterans' court programs or expand existing ones. The Administrative Office of the Courts runs it, and the Supreme Court adopts rules and criteria as needed.
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NowA veterans' treatment court fund is created from legislative appropriations. Money is awarded to grantees each year and must be used for relevant administrative costs, including hiring staff. Applicants must apply on a form set by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
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NowGrantees must report each year by December 31 on veterans served, arrest and repeat-offense rates, completion rates, treatment use and recommendations. The Administrative Office of the Courts must send a statewide report to the governor and legislative leaders by March 1 each year.
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NowEach month, to the extent practicable, the state Department of Corrections must give the Department of Veterans' Services a list of incarcerated veterans expected to be released within 90 days. The list is limited to the minimum information needed, is confidential and may be used only for benefits outreach.
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NowThe Department of Veterans' Services must make reasonable efforts to identify incarcerated veterans and to contact those on the list before release and for a reasonable period after, to offer benefits counseling, eligibility help and information on services.
Who it affects
- Veterans involved in the criminal justice system
- Incarcerated veterans nearing release
- Cities, towns and counties with or seeking veterans' court programs
- Administrative Office of the Courts and the Arizona Supreme Court
- Arizona Department of Corrections
- Arizona Department of Veterans' Services
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- How much money the legislature will put into the veterans' treatment court fund
- How large grants will be or how applicants will be chosen
- What specific information about each incarcerated veteran will be shared
- Whether incarcerated veterans can decline to be contacted or to have their information shared
- What happens if a grantee does not submit its annual report
- The exact definition of "veteran" used, which refers to another statute not shown
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.