HB2437

THE CONTEXT: Pursuant to A.R.S. 13-3411, it is unlawful for a person to intentionally be present in a drug-free school zone to transfer marijuana, peyote, prescription-only drugs, dangerous drugs or narcotic drugs. An individual who violates these restrictions is to be sentenced to one year in prison more than he otherwise would be. Drug free school zones are required to have a permanently affixed sign at the entrance of the school, identifying the school and its accompanying grounds as a drug free school zone.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would make it unlawful for a person to intentionally be present in a drug-free homeless service zone, with the intent of transferring dangerous and narcotic drugs, make it unlawful for an operator or an employee of a facility-based service to knowingly allow the possession or use of dangerous or narcotic drugs in the drug-free homeless zone, and classifies an offense as the same class of felony had the person committed the offense outside of a drug-free homeless service zone, but with an enhanced sentence of one additional year.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give property owners and consumers a clearer rule for drug-free homeless zones. It would make it unlawful for a person to intentionally be present in a drug-free homeless service zone, with the intent of transferring dangerous and narcotic drugs, and would also make it unlawful for an operator or an employee of a facility-based service to knowingly allow the possession or use of dangerous or narcotic drugs in the drug-free homeless zone, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.