Rep. Junelle Cavero

Maddy summaryHB 4120 requires Arizona's Department of Education to create a system for verifying high school graduation status, directly affecting individuals needing proof of graduation (e.g., for college, jobs, or licenses). The bill mandates the department to develop policies compliant with privacy laws (FERPA), allow fees for verification services after 100 free annual requests, and annually report request volumes, verification rates, costs, and revenues to state leaders. Key provisions include limiting free verifications to 100 per year, establishing fee collection, and requiring transparency through annual reports starting in 2027. It does not change graduation requirements but creates a formal verification process. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House First Reading).

Maddy summaryHB 4089 requires contractors working on Arizona state service contracts (covering retail, food, hotel, janitorial, and healthcare services) to offer jobs to employees of the previous contractor within 10 days of taking over. It mandates a 90-day transition period during which contractors must retain eligible workers based on seniority, provide written job offers with a 10-day response window, and maintain a hiring list for remaining positions. The bill bars contractors from retaliating against employees who report violations or help investigate compliance. It directly affects workers in covered service sectors who performed at least 12 months of qualifying work under the previous contract, excluding managers and airline staff.

Maddy summaryHB 4075 automatically restores voting rights to individuals released from prison after a felony conviction in Arizona, eliminating the need for a separate application (via new Section 13-926). It also establishes automatic restoration of most civil rights (like jury service and firearm possession, excluding certain violent offenses) for first-time felony offenders upon completing probation and paying victim restitution (Section 13-907). The bill prohibits state employment discrimination based solely on prior felony or misdemeanor convictions, except for law enforcement roles (Section 13-904). These changes apply to individuals convicted of felonies in Arizona or other jurisdictions, with specific exceptions for dangerous or serious offenses regarding firearm rights.

Maddy summaryHB 4077 amends Arizona law to give the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) more authority to finance capital improvements, such as building repairs, renovations, and new construction. The bill establishes a capital improvement fund using property sales, gifts, grants, and donations, which is exempt from annual budget lapsing. It sets strict limits: no more than $16 million total in lease-purchase agreements, with $8 million allowed each for fiscal years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028, and requires agreements to not exceed 40 years or a project’s useful life. This directly affects ASDB’s financial management of its facilities without obligating additional state general fund money.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Arizona's bail rules for certain serious offenses. It specifies that defendants charged with capital offenses, sexual assault, or specific child molestation crimes (like those involving victims under 13 or a 10-year age gap) cannot be released on bail. It also adds that serious felony charges involving suspected illegal immigration status may prevent bail, requiring courts to consider factors like ICE holds or immigration evidence. Additionally, the bill expands factors judges must weigh when setting bail, including victim input, prior violent offenses, gang membership, and immigration status, while requiring expedited hearings for detention decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 4073 sets new requirements for gestational surrogacy agreements in Arizona. It mandates that surrogates and intended parents complete medical and mental health evaluations by specific licensed professionals, obtain independent legal counsel, and sign agreements transferring parental rights immediately at birth. The agreements must disclose financial responsibilities, confirm no parental claims by surrogates or their spouses, and include specific acknowledgments of parental duties. These provisions apply to all surrogacy arrangements where at least one party is an Arizona resident or the birth occurs in Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 4092 requires Arizona peace officers to wear body cameras during public interactions starting July 2028, with exceptions for undercover work, court appearances, or privacy concerns. Officers who fail to activate cameras or tamper with footage face disciplinary action, including certification suspension (up to permanent revocation for incidents involving civilian deaths) and potential termination. The bill also mandates releasing unedited body camera footage within 21 days of misconduct complaints and protecting privacy in sensitive recordings, while requiring law enforcement agencies to follow state-mandated retention schedules.

Maddy summaryHB 2579 appropriates $4.5 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Department of Education to provide free school meals to children meeting federal income eligibility standards for free and reduced-price lunches. The bill directly affects qualifying Arizona students in public schools by expanding access to meals without cost to families. Key provisions include using state funds to cover meal costs for eligible children under existing federal nutrition program criteria and establishing the appropriation as ongoing funding for future years. This policy change modifies state funding allocation for school nutrition programs without altering federal eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2842 requires escrow agents in Arizona to report specific property details to the state department when handling real estate sales or transfers. This includes owner names, property identification numbers, physical addresses, escrow company names, and contact information. The bill also establishes a voluntary "early alert system" allowing property owners to opt in for email or text notifications about pending sales. These changes directly affect escrow agents (who must comply with reporting) and property owners (who can choose to receive alerts). The law aims to improve transparency in property transactions through standardized data sharing.

Maddy summaryHB 4006, titled the "Right to Speak Your Truth Act," prohibits individuals accused of sexual misconduct, abuse, assault, harassment, or domestic violence from using defamation lawsuits to silence accusers or reporters. It specifically blocks defamation claims when the accused attempts to retaliate against someone who reported the incident or named the accused publicly. The bill allows defamation lawsuits only if the accuser's claim is factually impossible for the accused to have committed, the accuser was impeached in court over the same facts, the accuser made contradictory public statements, or the accuser publicly denied the incident occurred. This directly protects accusers, staff, and third parties reporting sexual offenses from being sued for speaking out.