Rep. Nancy Gutierrez

Maddy summaryHB 2742, the Arizona CROWN Act, prohibits employment and school discrimination based on "protective hairstyles" like braids, locks, or twists. It makes it illegal for employers, training programs, and schools (from nursery through postgraduate) to discriminate against individuals due to their hairstyle, race, or ethnicity. The law defines "protective hairstyle" broadly and explicitly ties it to race and ethnicity protections, including historically associated traits like hair texture. This directly affects employees and students in Arizona workplaces and educational institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 2709 limits landlord fees and requires clearer rental disclosures in Arizona. Landlords cannot charge for background checks if renters provide their own credit reports, may not charge more than the actual screening cost, and cannot charge multiple application fees within a year. Landlords must provide written disclosures before tenancy, including all mandatory fees, rent amounts, due dates, and optional costs (like trash valet or smart device upgrades), and include these details in all rental ads and websites. This directly affects Arizona landlords and renters by reducing unexpected costs and increasing transparency in rental agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 2524 repeals Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-3605, which previously regulated advertising related to abortion services and conception. This procedural bill removes a specific advertising rule governing how abortion-related information could be promoted. It does not create new requirements but eliminates an existing statutory provision. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House first and second readings as of January 20-21, 2026).

Maddy summaryHB 2528 establishes new rights for Arizonans seeking fertility care, including the right to access treatments like IVF without unreasonable restrictions, continue ongoing treatments, and control their embryos, eggs, or sperm. It also affirms health care providers' rights to perform fertility treatments and insurers' rights to cover them. The law requires health authorities to create rules supporting these rights within one year. This bill directly affects individuals pursuing fertility care, clinics offering such services, and health insurance companies.

Maddy summaryHB 2558 requires Arizona health insurers to cover scalp cooling systems for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, starting January 1, 2027. The bill mandates that hospital service corporations, health care services organizations, disability insurers, and group disability insurers must provide coverage for these systems when used alongside cancer-related chemotherapy treatment. A "scalp cooling system" is defined as a medical device designed to prevent or reduce hair loss during chemo, intended for repeated use and primarily for medical purposes. This policy directly affects cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in Arizona and insurers offering related coverage. The law creates a new coverage requirement without altering existing treatment standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2522, the "Arizona Right to Contraception Act," establishes a legal right for Arizonans to access contraceptives and contraception-related information, and for healthcare providers to offer these services. It prohibits state or local restrictions that single out contraceptive services, impede access, or interfere with a provider's ability to deliver care. The bill explicitly clarifies it does not override existing requirements for voluntary, informed consent in sterilization procedures. This law directly affects individuals seeking reproductive healthcare and healthcare providers who offer contraceptive services across Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 2711 modifies how Arizona allocates unclaimed property funds, such as abandoned bank accounts and stocks, that would otherwise go to the state general fund. It directs 55% of these funds to the housing trust fund, with 40% of that portion (22% of total funds) specifically reserved for rural housing development. The bill also specifies that $2 million goes to a trust fund for housing the seriously mentally ill, $2.5 million to the general housing trust fund, and $24.5 million to the department of revenue's administrative fund. This policy change affects state fund distribution without directly altering individual rights or services.

Maddy summaryHB 2626 creates a state-funded scholarship program for child care workers in Arizona earning below 85% of the state median income. It directly affects teachers, educators, and support staff at department-contracted child care providers, preschools, kindergartens, and K-12 schools. The program provides $200 million in state funding for fiscal year 2026-2027, with scholarship money paid directly to child care providers (not individual workers) on a first-come, first-served basis. This aims to support workforce retention by covering costs for eligible providers.

Maddy summaryHB 2529 requires Arizona prisons to provide free medical care to pregnant inmates, exempting them from fees for medical visits, prescriptions, and medical devices under Section 1(I)(5) of the bill. This directly affects pregnant individuals incarcerated in Arizona state facilities, ensuring they cannot be denied treatment or charged for care related to pregnancy. The bill also mandates that prisons honor a prisoner’s refusal of non-life-threatening treatment after documenting consequences (Section 31-202), while prohibiting denial of care due to inability to pay (Section 1(J)). These provisions specifically address pregnancy-related healthcare access and financial barriers within correctional medical services.

Maddy summaryHB 2627 creates new protections for workers during public health emergencies in Arizona. It prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who report health/safety concerns, wear higher-level personal protective equipment (like masks recommended by health agencies), or refuse forced confidentiality agreements about workplace hazards. Employers must post notices of these rights and face civil penalties of at least $100 per day for violations, with options for reinstatement or back pay if workers are fired for exercising these rights. The law applies to most employers and entities contracting with five or more independent contractors, enforced by the state Labor Department.