AZ SB1485

Court clerks must immediately seal all filings, pleadings, and judgments in forcible entry and detainer cases based on nonpayment of rent or other non-violation reasons that occurred during the COVID-19 state of emergency between March 11, 2020 and June 30, 2023.

Sealed records remain inaccessible to the public but may be accessed by the lessor or owner, lessee or occupant, their attorneys or representatives, and research entities for data aggregation purposes.

Records may not be disseminated to third parties if proceedings are dismissed before hearing, judgment is rendered in favor of the lessor or owner, or a consent judgment is entered.

Housing and credit applications that request information about previous forcible entry and detainer actions must include a statement notifying applicants that those with sealed records may answer "no record" to inquiries about sealed court records.