Arizona HB 2198: AHCCCS; reimbursement rates; rural hospitals

Bill Text

Chapter 0086 - 572R - H Ver of HB2198 

 House Engrossed

 criminal records 
 sealed; petty offense

 State of Arizona

 House of Representatives

 Fifty-seventh Legislature

 Second Regular Session

 2026

 CHAPTER 86

 HOUSE BILL 2198

AN 
ACT

AMENDING SECTION 13-911, ARIZONA 
REVISED STATUTES; RELATING TO RESTORATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 13-911, Arizona Revised 
Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE13-911. Sealing of arrest, conviction and sentencing records; 
requirements; fee; appeal; definition

A. A person may file a petition to seal all case 
records related to a criminal offense if the person was:

1. Convicted of a criminal offense and has completed 
all of the terms and conditions of the sentence that was imposed by the court, including 
the payment of all monetary obligations and restitution to all victims.

2. Charged with a criminal offense and the charge 
was subsequently dismissed or resulted in a not guilty verdict at a trial.

3. Arrested for a criminal offense and no charges 
were filed.

B. All case records that are sealed pursuant to this 
section may be:

1. Alleged as an element of an offense.

2. Used as a historical prior felony conviction.

3. Admissible for impeaching any party or witness in 
a subsequent trial.

4. Used to enhance the sentence for a subsequent 
felony.

5. Used to enhance the sentence pursuant to sections 
28-1381 and 28-1382.

6. Pleaded and proved in any subsequent prosecution 
of the person by this state or a political subdivision of this state.

7. Used as a conviction if the conviction would be 
admissible if the conviction was not sealed.

C. The person shall file a petition to seal all case 
records in one of the following:

1. The court in which the person was convicted of an 
offense.

2. The court in which an indictment, information, 
criminal citation or complaint against the person was filed and the charges 
were dismissed, the person was found not guilty or the person's conviction was 
vacated, except that if the complaint was filed in a justice court and a 
subsequent information was filed, the petition must be filed in the superior 
court.

3. The court in which the person had an initial 
appearance if charges were not filed.

4. The superior court in the county where a person 
was arrested if the person did not have an initial appearance and no charges 
were filed.

D. The court may not grant or deny a petition to 
seal a person's case records until sixty calendar days after the court receives 
the petition unless the court receives notice that both the prosecutor and all 
victims who have made a request for postconviction notice do not object to the 
petition. Unless the petitioner, prosecutor or victim requests a 
hearing, the court may grant or deny a petition to seal case records without a 
hearing. The court may dismiss a petition that does not meet the 
requirements prescribed in this section without a hearing. The court 
shall grant the petition if the court determines that granting the petition is 
in the best interests of the petitioner and the public's safety. The 
clerk of the court shall provide a copy of the petition to seal case records to 
the prosecutor. The prosecutor may respond to the petition and 
request a hearing.� The victim has a right to be present and heard at any 
proceeding in which the defendant has filed a petition to seal case 
records. If the victim has made a request for postconviction notice, 
the prosecutor shall provide the victim with notice of the defendant's petition 
and of the victim's rights under this section.

E. At the time of sentencing, the court shall inform 
the person on the record that the person may be eligible to petition the court 
for an order that seals all case records of the person's arrest, conviction and 
sentence that are related to the offense pursuant to this section and shall 
provide this notice in writing.� A person who was convicted of any eligible 
offense may petition the court to seal the person's records of arrest, 
conviction and sentence after the person completes all of the nonmonetary terms 
and conditions of the person's sentence ordered by the court, and the following 
period of time has passed since the person completed the nonmonetary conditions 
of probation or sentence and was discharged by the court:

1. Ten years for a class 2 or 3 felony.

2. Five years for a class 4, 5 or 6 felony.

3. Three years for a class 1 misdemeanor.

4. Two years for a class 2 or 3 misdemeanor.

5. Immediately for a petty offense.

F. A person whose case records have been sealed 
pursuant to subsection E of this section and who commits a subsequent felony 
offense may petition the court pursuant to subsection E of this section to seal 
the person's records of arrest, conviction and sentence relating to the 
subsequent felony offense after the applicable period of time pres