The proposed bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 33-1379 to enhance the sealing of eviction records. Under the new provisions, the court is required to seal all records related to an eviction case when it either dismisses the action before judgment or enters judgment in favor of the tenant. Additionally, it introduces a new provision that allows for sealing records after a first-time judgment of eviction against a tenant. The bill also stipulates that if both the landlord and tenant agree to set aside the eviction order, the court must seal the case file.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies who can access sealed records, limiting availability to the tenant, parties involved, and their attorneys, while ensuring that sealed records cannot be sold or transferred to third parties. It expands the scope of records that can be sealed to include all documents related to summary eviction actions, forcible entry and detainer actions, and special detainer actions. Overall, the bill aims to provide greater protections for tenants by ensuring that eviction records are sealed under specific circumstances, thereby reducing the long-term impact of eviction judgments on tenants' lives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 33-1379, 33-1486, 33-1368, 33-1377