Bill That Makes It Easier for People on Probation to Obtain Jobs Earns Unanimous House Passage

Senate Bill 1364 previously passed Senate unanimously; is supported by nation’s largest bipartisan criminal justice organization. 

Phoenix, AZ –As Arizona employers continue to struggle to fill open jobs, one group of eager workers may find it easier to accept those positions in the coming months. Senate Bill 1364, sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick (R-District 2), passed the House with a unanimous 57-0 vote earlier today, and previously passed the Senate with a unanimous 26-0 vote. The bill now heads to Governor Hobbs for her signature.

Senate Bill 1364 will require counties to grant probation courtesy transfer requests within 14 days when a person on probation has an offer of employment, family caregiver obligations, or housing available in a county other than the one they were assigned probation in. Currently, a courtesy transfer between counties can take up to 90 days, which means a person who is on probation may miss out on job opportunities that could help them get and stay on the right track. 

The Justice Action Network (JAN), the nation’s largest bipartisan criminal justice advocacy organization working at both the state and federal levels, released the following statement in the hours after the bill’s passage in the House: 

“The unanimous support for Senate Bill 1364 is a shining example of the progress we can make when we work together to advance common-sense public safety solutions that also happen to boost the economy,” said Lauren Krisai, Deputy Director for JAN, “Needless bureaucracy should never stand between Arizona businesses and their potential employees, nor should it serve as a barrier to success for someone working hard to turn their life around. The number one factor in reducing recidivism is maintaining employment, and we’re happy to see this bill will enhance those opportunities for those on probation. Arizonans will be safer, and their economy will be stronger when the governor signs SB 1364 into law.” 

“We’d like to thank Senator Bolick for her tireless effort to advance this legislation and to lawmakers in both chambers for passing this important workforce legislation unanimously. We look forward to Governor Hobbs signing the bill into law.”