AZ HB2255

Establishes the Office of the Independent Corrections Oversight Committee with authority to inspect all state corrections facilities at least once every two years and investigate complaints regarding inmate health, safety, welfare and rehabilitation.

Creates a Correctional Oversight Committee consisting of 12 voting members (2 senators, 2 representatives, and 8 gubernatorial appointees including formerly incarcerated persons, advocacy representatives, medical and mental health professionals) and 1 non-voting staff representative member.

Grants the office broad access to facilities, inmates, staff and department records; allows private communication with inmates; and requires the department to provide requested records within 20 business days (5 days for death or assault cases).

Defines "covered issues" including sanitation, nutrition, temperature, abuse, neglect, medical care, visitation, grievance processes, staffing adequacy and access to programming and treatment.

Appropriates $2,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2024-2025 through 2033-2034 for office operations and establishes a sunset date of July 1, 2034, with statutory repeal on January 1, 2035.