HB 2189 Summary

• Amends Arizona prisoner discharge procedures to allow use of dedicated discharge account funds for eligible identification documents before release, with applicable fees prescribed by title 28 or Arizona Department of Transportation rules.

• Changes dedicated discharge account target balance from $250 to $250 for most prisoners and $50 for prisoners serving natural life sentences, with 25 percent of wages deposited until target is reached.

• Permits prisoners earning less than $2 per hour to use dedicated discharge account funds for items and services needed immediately after release or transfer to community release status or home arrest.

• Modifies compensation structure for prisoners in work programs, maintaining maximum $1.50 per hour for standard work (or $2.00 minimum for Arizona Correctional Industries participants under private contracts).

• Designates the measure as an emergency act operative immediately upon passage.