SB 1124 creates a new role for "oral preventive assistants" in Arizona dental practices. To qualify, dental assistants must complete a 120-hour board-approved training course (including CPR and specific certifications) and work only under dentist or hygienist supervision (dentists may supervise up to three assistants). These assistants can only remove plaque and tartar on periodontally healthy patients or those with mild gingivitis, using specific tools and avoiding air polishing or medically complex cases. The bill requires dental boards to collect data on these assistants until 2028, after which the law expires. It directly affects dental assistants seeking this role, supervising dentists/hygienists, and patients receiving preventive dental services.
SB 1060 requires Arizona employers (like police departments) to provide law enforcement officers with specific notice and procedural protections during internal investigations that could lead to discipline. It mandates written notice of allegations 24 hours before interviews (with limited exceptions), allows officers to have a representative present (not an attorney), permits officers to record their own interviews, and grants time to consult with their representative after the interview. The law also requires employers to share a summary of similar past disciplinary actions if they seek discipline against an officer. These provisions apply to most internal investigations but exclude routine supervisor interactions, preliminary questioning, and criminal investigations. The bill became law after passing the legislature and being signed by the governor in March 2025.
HB 2666 modifies Arizona's campaign finance laws to regulate third-party complaints about violations. It requires complaints to be filed by identifiable individuals (not entities) and designates filing officers as the sole authority to investigate these claims within their jurisdiction. After an investigation, filing officers must refer cases to enforcement officers (like the attorney general or county attorney) if reasonable cause is found, who then determine penalties based on the violation's amount. The bill establishes that penalties equal the value of the violation, potentially tripled for severe cases, and requires violators to correct issues within 20 days to avoid fines.
HB 2116 updates Arizona's small estate transfer rules, allowing heirs to claim personal property and real estate without court-appointed probate if the estate's value stays below new limits. It raises the threshold for personal property (from $75,000 to $100,000) and real property (from $100,000 to $150,000) as of the decedent's death. Heirs can use a sworn affidavit to transfer assets like vehicles, bank accounts, or property after 30 days (for personal property) or six months (for real estate), provided they confirm funeral/medical expenses and debts are paid. This directly affects Arizona residents inheriting smaller estates who would otherwise need to navigate formal probate court. The changes apply to all estates valued under these thresholds, streamlining transfers for qualifying heirs.
SB 1070 updates Arizona's procedures for selling state-owned land through tax deeds (property sold due to unpaid taxes). It allows counties to conduct online or live auctions for these properties and creates specific rules for selling to adjacent landowners who use their property for commercial, agricultural, or residential purposes, provided the properties were once under common ownership or part of a homeowners' association's common area. The bill also establishes priority for these adjacent buyers during sales and clarifies how proceeds from sales are distributed to taxing authorities and former owners. This change primarily affects counties managing tax sales, adjacent property owners seeking to purchase nearby land, and homeowners' associations maintaining common areas.
SB 1354 amends Arizona law (ARS § 36-539) governing mental health evaluation hearings. It requires two non-expert witnesses who observed the patient during the alleged mental disorder to provide only factual testimony (not opinions) at hearings, and mandates that evaluating physicians testify specifically about the nature of any danger to self/others or disability, including required treatment. The bill directly affects patients undergoing involuntary mental health evaluations, their attorneys, and evaluation agencies by clarifying evidence standards and witness requirements. Key provisions include limiting witness testimony to observed facts, requiring specific documentation of patient conditions, and ensuring clinical records can be presented as evidence. These changes aim to standardize hearing procedures while maintaining patient rights to challenge evaluations.
SB 1320 amends Arizona law to define key terms related to autonomous and automated vehicles, including "autonomous vehicle" and "automated driving system." This definitional bill, which has been enacted, establishes standardized terminology for future legislation and regulations governing self-driving technology. It does not impose new requirements or directly affect specific individuals or entities but provides clarity for how these technologies will be addressed in Arizona law. The bill focuses solely on definitions within Section 28-101 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.
HB 2345 clarifies how escrow agents may use funds in escrow accounts for loan agreements. It restricts escrow agents from using these funds for any purpose other than making payments under the loan agreement, unless one of four specific exceptions applies: (1) the loan agreement explicitly permits another use, (2) a deed in lieu of foreclosure agreement specifies an alternative use, (3) parties negotiate a settlement agreement including fund usage terms, or (4) a portion of funds is used to bring an overdue account current. The bill explicitly states it makes only clarifying changes to existing law, not substantive ones. The bill passed the Arizona legislature and was signed into law by the governor on March 31, 2025.
HB 2447 creates a self-certification program for Arizona cities and towns, allowing licensed architects and engineers to certify that construction projects meet building codes without full city review. The law enables local governments to eliminate public hearings for certain administrative approvals (like site plans and design reviews) and offers expedited permit processing for applicants with strong compliance records. It requires that all standards be "objective" and verifiable, meaning decisions must rely on clear benchmarks, not personal judgment. This bill directly affects local building permit processes, reducing administrative delays for qualifying projects while shifting responsibility to certified professionals. The law was signed by the governor on March 31, 2025, making it effective immediately.
HB 2343 streamlines continuing education requirements for certified legal document preparers in Arizona. It allows these preparers (who are non-lawyers assisting with legal forms) to use certain continuing education programs to satisfy both their state license renewal requirement and their annual legal education requirement. The bill specifies that qualifying programs must be organized, law-focused, structured with an agenda, and include written materials. This eliminates duplicate requirements for preparers who complete approved courses. The bill passed the Arizona legislature and was signed into law in March 2025.
This bill amends Arizona's definition of "dangerous drug" to include specific synthetic compounds under new categories, such as cannabimimetic substances (e.g., JWH-018, JWH-073) and other listed chemicals. It directly affects individuals possessing or using these substances, as it establishes legal thresholds for enforcement under Arizona law. The key provision redefines "dangerous drug" to explicitly cover these synthetic compounds, including their salts, isomers, and derivatives, without exception. This change clarifies legal boundaries for law enforcement and pharmacists (referencing the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy) regarding these substances. Note: The bill's title mentions "hydrolyzed cocaine," but the actual text focuses on defining dangerous drugs, not hydrolyzed cocaine.
HB 2115 makes it illegal to observe a nude minor solely for the purpose of sexual gratification, classifying this as a class 2 felony. The law directly affects individuals who engage in this conduct, applying to all minors regardless of age. This amendment to Arizona law (Section 13-3553) specifically adds "observing a nude minor for sexual gratification" as a new prohibited act under sexual exploitation of a minor charges.
