Rep. Selina Bliss

Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1438 establishes a central registry for child abuse and neglect reports, requiring background checks for individuals working with children or vulnerable adults. It directly affects foster homes, adoptive parents, child care providers, behavioral health facilities, and residential care staff by mandating registry checks as a factor in licensing, employment, or certification decisions. Key provisions include limiting registry entries to 25 years, requiring monthly purges of outdated records, and creating an exception process for disqualified applicants. Employees must certify under penalty of perjury whether abuse allegations exist, and agencies must publish disqualifying acts while protecting privacy in shared data.

Maddy summarySB 1310 creates penalties for recording false or forged documents claiming ownership or liens on Arizona real property. Property owners can sue for at least $5,000 or triple actual damages (whichever is greater) plus attorney fees if someone records invalid claims. Individuals who knowingly file such documents and refuse to correct them within 20 days after a written request face $1,000 minimum penalties or triple damages. The bill classifies these violations as class 1 misdemeanors or felonies and was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the governor on May 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 2044 is a non-binding resolution passed by Arizona's legislature affirming the state's mineral resources (including copper, uranium, and others) as critical to national security, economic growth, and the transition to green energy. It calls on federal and state governments to streamline mining permitting, support domestic production, and reduce reliance on foreign mineral imports. The resolution does not create new laws but formally expresses legislative support for policies fostering Arizona's mining industry and a domestic supply chain for critical minerals. It directly addresses government agencies and policymakers, not specific businesses or residents.

Maddy summaryHCR 2049 is a symbolic resolution passed by Arizona's legislature, not a binding law. It asserts Arizona's sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment by declaring the state will not use state personnel or funds to enforce federal laws or programs deemed unconstitutional by Arizona. The resolution demands the federal government cease "commandeering" state actions and prohibits Arizona from complying with federal mandates that courts have ruled unconstitutionally coercive. It serves as a formal statement sent to federal officials, emphasizing Arizona's position but having no legal effect on federal law or enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 2207 mandates permanent imprisonment without parole for adults convicted of child sex trafficking under Arizona law. It creates a key exception: juveniles under 18 who were proven to be trafficking victims themselves before committing the offense cannot receive this sentence. Courts must find clear evidence of the defendant's victim status to apply this exception. This directly affects juvenile defendants who were trafficked before engaging in criminal activity.

Maddy summarySB 1235 amends Arizona statutes governing membership on three health regulatory boards (podiatry, chiropractic, and dental). It standardizes requirements including mandatory fingerprint-based criminal background checks for all members, specifies composition rules (e.g., requiring some members to be retired practitioners or laypersons), and sets term lengths and vacancy procedures. The bill directly affects the boards themselves by defining who can serve and how appointments are handled, with no changes to patient care standards or licensing requirements. Key mechanisms include requiring criminal checks via state/federal databases, limiting consecutive terms, and clarifying how vacancies are filled. The bill focuses solely on procedural governance of these boards, not on healthcare policy or patient outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 2026 amends Arizona's dental board procedures to update how complaints against dental licensees are handled. It directly affects dental professionals facing disciplinary actions, the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners, and patients filing complaints. Key changes include setting a 4-year limit for complaints (except for serious cases like sexual misconduct or felony incidents), requiring the board to notify complainants about privacy protections, and adding nondisciplinary options like education requirements or letters of concern instead of formal penalties. The bill also clarifies procedures for investigations, formal hearings, and maintaining patient record confidentiality during proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 1443 establishes a "parental bill of rights" in Arizona law, directly affecting parents of minor children and government entities like schools, healthcare providers, and child welfare agencies. It codifies specific parental rights - including control over education, health care decisions, access to medical records, and notification of suspected child-related incidents - and prohibits government interference without meeting a strict legal standard. The bill adds a new provision allowing parents to sue for compensatory damages of at least $2,500 per violation if government entities unlawfully interfere with these rights. Despite passing the legislature in April 2025, it was vetoed by the Governor on May 2, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2584 directs Arizona's healthcare system to study whether current Title XIX reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation are adequate. It allows the system to collect funding from transportation providers and brokers to hire an independent firm to examine costs, including rural/urban differences and administrative expenses. The study requires providers to share financial data and must be completed within one year, with results reported to the legislature. This bill affects nonemergency medical transportation providers, brokers, and managed care organizations by setting the framework for reviewing reimbursement rates.

Maddy summarySB 1108 establishes a provisional medical license pathway for international medical licensees working in Arizona counties with fewer than one million residents. To qualify, applicants must meet education/exam standards, have valid U.S. work authorization, and practice under a licensed physician's supervision. After four years of continuous practice without disciplinary action in qualifying counties, provisional licenses automatically convert to full licenses. The bill requires annual renewal, employer reporting of terminations, and a 2033 legislative report on program outcomes.