Powell's Wrongful Conviction Bill Signed into Law

State Representative Khyl Powell's (R-14) House Bill 2813, later amended as Senate Bill 1500, providing compensation to the wrongfully convicted, has been signed into law.

As the Arizona Mirror described, SB1500 provides Arizonans who have been proven to be wrongfully convicted of a crime with 200% of the median annual income as compensation for each year incarcerated, in addition to reimbursement for restitution, fines, and fees, along with $100,000 for mental health treatment.

State Rep. Powell's press release provided further provisions, including the expungement and sealing of all records.

The bill passed in the State House of Representatives with a near-unanimous vote, while the State Senate passed the bill 16-13. In both instances, only one Democrat voted against the bill.

"When the justice system fails, the burden should not fall on the innocent," said State Rep. Powell, adding, "This law can't restore the years lost, but it removes the record that never should have existed and provides the support they need to rebuild a life. Government must answer for the harm it causes. When the state locks up an innocent person, it should take responsibility. This law helps make that right."

In May, the Gilbert-Chandler area Representative's House Bill 2894, which improves Arizona law enforcement's ability to issue Silver Alerts more quickly, was signed into law.

As we covered in the link at the beginning of this article, the bill also mandates more comprehensive training for new employees and annual training for employees involved in cases of missing persons, thereby increasing the effective response rate. Additionally, alerts are now issued when people with specific cognitive or developmental disabilities or who are over the age of 65 go missing.

"When a vulnerable person goes missing, there's no time to waste," said Powell, adding, "The Seek and Find Alert System ensures law enforcement won't be slowed down by red tape or outdated procedures. Whether it's a child with autism or an adult with dementia, families deserve to know that every resource is being deployed—immediately—to bring their loved one home."