HB2511 amends section 8-321 of the Arizona Revised Statutes to allow juvenile offenders the option to voluntarily participate in a court-approved religious program as a condition of their diversion. This religious program can be substituted for one of the other conditions outlined for diversion, such as community restitution work or participation in counseling or education programs. The bill specifies that the juvenile's participation in the religious program must be voluntary and that the program's purpose cannot include efforts to coerce the juvenile to adopt or change any religious beliefs.

The bill also makes technical and conforming changes to the numbering of the conditions for diversion, reflecting the addition of the religious program option as a new condition. The existing conditions, including payment of restitution to victims and payment of a monetary assessment through community restitution, are renumbered accordingly.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-321
House Engrossed Version: 8-321
Chaptered Version: 8-321