HB 2646 establishes three fundamental rights for Arizona children: the right to maintain relationships with parents (including visitation during parental incarceration), access to confidential health care services (such as contraception, STI treatment, and mental health care without parental consent), and enrollment in public schools with in-person instruction. The bill requires any law affecting these rights to prioritize the child's best interest and be narrowly tailored to a compelling government interest. It specifically allows children to consent to certain health services independently and overrides parental direction regarding public school enrollment. The law applies directly to Arizona children and their parents or legal guardians.
HB 2520 (incorrectly titled "contraception; cost sharing prohibition") actually amends Arizona health insurance contract rules to require coverage for specific preventive services without cost-sharing. The bill mandates that health insurance contracts must cover preventive mammography screening and diagnostic imaging for breast cancer (including digital breast tomosynthesis and MRI) as recommended by medical guidelines, without requiring patient cost-sharing. It also requires coverage for maternity benefits related to legally adopted children under specific conditions (adoption within one year, payment of birth costs, etc.). The bill does not address contraception or cost-sharing for contraceptive services, as its title suggests. This is a coverage requirement for existing health insurance plans, not a new benefit.
