AZ HB2894

Establishes the Office of the Independent Corrections Ombudsman to conduct inspections and investigate complaints related to the Arizona Department of Corrections, with an ombudsman appointed by a correctional oversight committee for a six-year term.

Creates a Correctional Oversight Committee consisting of 4 legislators (2 from each chamber, different parties) and 7 gubernatorial appointees including prisoner advocates, formerly incarcerated individuals, medical and mental health professionals, and an inmate family member.

Authorizes the ombudsman to investigate complaints regarding sanitation, nutrition, abuse, medical care, visitation, educational programming, and other conditions affecting inmate health, safety, and rehabilitation without requiring prior exhaustion of department grievance procedures.

Requires the ombudsman to conduct facility inspections at least every three years (annually for maximum security), issue public inspection reports and annual reports, establish complaint forms and hotlines, and collect data on deaths, assaults, lockdowns, and staffing.

Appropriates $1,500,000 annually for fiscal years 2020-2021 through 2024-2025 to fund the ombudsman office and oversight committee, with the office scheduled to terminate on July 1, 2030.