Rep. Nancy Gutierrez

Maddy summaryHB 2828 requires dentists, dental hygienists, and denture technicians in Arizona to maintain a valid fingerprint clearance card issued under state law (Section 41-1758.03) as part of their licensing or certification process. This requirement applies to all new applications and renewals starting January 1, 2026, or when approved by the federal Bureau of Investigation. The bill updates licensing rules to deny or suspend applications if applicants fail to maintain this card or are under investigation by another dental regulatory board. It directly affects licensed dental professionals seeking to practice in Arizona by adding a new administrative requirement to their credentialing process. The bill focuses on standardizing background checks for dental practitioners without changing substantive practice rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2816 appropriates $122,300,300 from Arizona's state general fund and $402,981,400 in Medicaid funding for the Department of Economic Security's developmental disabilities program during fiscal year 2024-2025. This bill provides specific supplemental funding to cover program expenses without altering eligibility or service requirements. The funding directly supports the state's developmental disabilities services, which assist individuals with disabilities and their families. As a funding measure, it does not change program rules or create new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2773 amends Arizona's liquor license laws (ARS § 4-203) to clarify how licenses are issued, transferred, and handled during ownership changes. It creates a rebuttable presumption that public convenience was met when an existing license location applies for a new license of the same type, unless the location has been unused for over 180 days. The bill requires businesses to notify authorities within 30 days of ownership changes and mandates local governments to review new owners' qualifications before approval. These changes directly affect bars, liquor stores, and beer/wine bars seeking new licenses, transfers, or ownership transitions in Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 2758 prohibits health providers from offering conversion therapy to patients under 18 years old, with exceptions for clergy acting in religious roles and parents acting as family members. It explicitly adds "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" as protected characteristics in Arizona’s anti-discrimination laws covering public accommodations, employment, and housing. The bill defines "gender identity" to include medical history, consistent self-identification, and other evidence, while clarifying that discrimination based on these factors is unlawful. It also establishes statewide regulation of conversion therapy, preempting local laws, and updates definitions for terms like "public accommodations" to include businesses serving the public. The law directly affects health providers, businesses, and individuals seeking services without discrimination in these areas.

Maddy summaryHB 2756 modifies Arizona's landlord-tenant eviction procedures. It requires landlords to wait seven days after a court judgment before issuing an eviction order, and mandates 24 hours' notice to tenants before enforcing the eviction. The bill also clarifies that tenants who remain in property after an eviction order without permission face criminal trespass charges. Additionally, it updates rules for tenant lease violations, stating that false information on rental applications (like income or occupancy details) makes the breach non-remediable, allowing immediate eviction. This affects all Arizona landlords and tenants involved in nonpayment or lease violation cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2777 repeals Section 15-911 of Arizona law and amends Section 15-1285 to exempt school districts and career technical education districts from budgetary, expenditure, and revenue control limits when using certain state funds. This means these districts can spend funds received under specific programs without being constrained by the usual spending caps that apply to other local revenues. The bill also modifies how county expenditure limits are calculated, including annual adjustments based on GDP changes for construction projects and justice of the peace compensation. The primary effect is to provide greater flexibility for school districts in managing state-funded programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2710 allocates $15 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to help tribal governments open or reopen assisted living facilities and nursing homes on tribal lands. The funds must be distributed proportionally across northern, central, and southern regions of Arizona, with at least $1.5 million specifically reserved for the Hopi Tribe and $1.5 million for the Navajo Nation. This funding directly supports tribal governments in expanding or restoring elder care services for tribal communities. The bill establishes concrete financial mechanisms to address infrastructure needs at tribal facilities without altering eligibility or service standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2745 establishes legal rights for individuals seeking fertility treatments in Arizona, defining key terms like "fertility treatment" (including IVF, embryo storage, and genetic testing) and "health care provider." It guarantees individuals the right to access these treatments without unreasonable restrictions, retain control over their reproductive materials, and continue ongoing care per written agreements. Health care providers gain explicit rights to perform or counsel on fertility treatments within their scope, while insurers retain the right to cover such services. The bill also exempts the Department of Health Services and health boards from standard rulemaking requirements for one year to implement these provisions, as outlined in Section 36-1305.01.

Maddy summaryHB 2757 restricts unjustified price increases for "essential off-patent or generic drugs" in Arizona, directly affecting drug manufacturers and distributors. It prohibits "price gouging" (defined as excessive increases not tied to production costs or public health needs) and requires the state medical assistance program to notify the Attorney General about significant price hikes (e.g., 50%+ within a year or costs exceeding $80 for a standard supply). The Attorney General can then demand cost explanations from manufacturers and pursue enforcement actions, including court orders, refunds, or civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation. The law targets drugs with limited competition where price jumps leave patients with no affordable alternatives, focusing on protecting Medicaid patients and consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 2782 creates a state-run health insurance consumer assistance program to help Arizonans navigate claim denials, appeals, and enrollment issues. It requires health insurers to prominently display information about this program on all benefit explanations and denials, while mandating insurers to report data on denied claims to the state. Insurers that wrongfully deny or underpay valid claims face civil penalties (up to $25,000 per violation), double damages for consumers, and potential license suspension. The program also tracks claim issues, compiles annual public reports on denial rates, and requires insurers to disclose denial data upon request.