SB 1320 — children; incarcerated parents task force

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced Version Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill establishes a Children of Incarcerated Parents Task Force to address the needs of children with incarcerated parents.

• The children of incarcerated parents task force is established consisting of:

  This introduces a new task force focused on helping children of incarcerated parents.

• Members of the task force shall be appointed not later than six months after the effective date of this section.

  This sets a timeline for the appointment of task force members.

• Task force members are not eligible to receive compensation or reimbursement of expenses under title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.

  This clarifies that task force members will serve without compensation.

• The task force shall meet at least quarterly or at the call of the chairperson.

  This mandates a meeting schedule for the task force.

• Focus on providing every child who has an incarcerated parent in this state with all of the following rights: To be kept safe and informed at the time of the parent's arrest, To be heard when decisions are made about the child, To be considered when decisions are made about the child's parent, To be well cared for in the parent's absence, To speak with, see and touch the parent, To be supported as the child faces the parent's incarceration, To not be judged, blamed or labeled because the child's parent is incarcerated, To have a lifelong relationship with the parent.

  This defines specific rights for children of incarcerated parents.

• Identify service gaps in behavioral health support and coordinate with faith-based, educational and community organizations in this state to ensure accessible, trauma-informed, preventive interventions for the children of incarcerated parents.

  This charges the task force with the responsibility to identify and address service gaps for these children.

• Track key indicators, including all of the following: The number of children of incarcerated parents who are reached by the task force, The number of faith-based community partnerships that are established, Any reports on parental contact and reintegration support.

  This establishes a framework for accountability and measurement of the task force's impact.

• Partner with local congregations, faith leaders and volunteers to raise awareness, facilitate peer support groups and deliver stress management and self-awareness programs for the children of incarcerated parents and their caregivers.

  This encourages collaboration with community resources to support children and caregivers.

• On or before June 30, 2028, submit a report regarding the task force's findings and recommendations to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

  This mandates a report on the task force's activities and recommendations.

• This section is repealed from and after June 30, 2028.

  This establishes a sunset provision for the task force.

Action History

1. January 27, 2026

   Senate Second Reading

2. January 26, 2026

   Senate First Reading

Sponsors

• Sarah Liguori · Cosponsor
• Cesar Aguilar · Cosponsor
• Lauren Kuby · Cosponsor
• Analise Ortiz · Primary

Subjects