AZ SB1496

Amends section 31-281 (Arizona Revised Statutes) to add a new subsection E establishing mandatory release to a transition program for inmates convicted solely of drug possession or paraphernalia offenses under specified statutes, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements.

Inmates convicted only of marijuana possession, dangerous drug possession, narcotic drug possession, or drug paraphernalia possession must be released to the transition program and cannot be excluded due to lack of housing, except for those with prior violent convictions, felony detainers, major rule violations, or previous release violations.

Transition program provides up to 90 days of community-based services including psychoeducational counseling, case management, substance abuse treatment, anger management, cognitive behavioral therapy, parenting skills training, education, and job placement.

Requires the Arizona Department of Corrections to conduct annual recidivism studies and submit reports by July 31 each year to the governor and legislature documenting recidivism rates, number of participants, and services provided.

Appropriates $2,750,000 in fiscal year 2017-2018 to the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission for county attorney offices to administer felony pretrial intervention programs providing substance abuse treatment and cognitive behavioral therapy for nondangerous offenders and repeat offenders with co-occurring disorders.