AZ HB2478

Requires private prison security officers to be certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board pursuant to section 41-1822, establishing uniform training and qualification standards for private prison workers.

Mandates private prison contractors use only certified security officers and prohibits those officers from exercising authority outside private prison facility grounds.

Extends the board's regulatory authority over private prison security officers to include background investigations, basic training curriculum of at least 240 hours, and continuing training requirements.

Makes it a class 1 misdemeanor for any person to exercise peace officer duties without proper board certification.

Amends sections 41-1609.01, 41-1682, 41-1822, and 41-1823 of Arizona Revised Statutes to incorporate private prison security officer certification requirements into existing correctional officer standards.