Rep. Alma Hernández

Maddy summaryHB 2593 requires Arizona school districts to offer preschool educational programs for children with specific disabilities (including hearing, visual, developmental delays, or speech impairments) who reside within the district. Charter schools may choose to provide these programs. The bill mandates that districts evaluate children before admission and specifies that these preschoolers count as half a full-time student for funding purposes. It also directs the state board to distribute 10% of federal funds for preschool disability programs to school districts and charters that choose to participate. This bill directly affects preschool children with disabilities and school districts managing their educational services.

Maddy summaryHB 2466 clarifies that candidate committees in Arizona may legally use campaign funds to cover direct caregiving expenses for a candidate’s child or other dependent they personally care for, such as childcare costs. This specifically affects candidates with caregiving responsibilities who use committee funds for these essential needs. The bill amends Arizona’s campaign finance law (ARS § 16-921) to explicitly list caregiver expenses as an exempt expenditure, aligning with existing rules. The legislature states this is a clarifying change, not a substantive policy shift. It does not expand exemptions beyond this specific provision.

Maddy summaryHB 2379 allocates $5 million from Arizona's state general fund for home and community-based services and an additional $5 million for senior housing assistance, to be distributed by the Department of Economic Security to area agencies on aging during fiscal year 2025-2026. These funds directly support programs helping seniors age in place and access housing resources through local agencies. The bill establishes specific funding amounts for two distinct senior services categories without changing eligibility rules or creating new requirements. It is currently in early legislative stages, having passed House first and second readings on January 23 and 27, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2460 amends Arizona's children's health insurance program (CHIP) eligibility rules by adjusting income thresholds for children under 19. It sets the following income limits relative to the federal poverty level: 200% for 1999-2023, 225% (with CMS approval) for 2023-2025, and 300% starting October 1, 2025. The bill directly affects low-income Arizona families with children under 19 whose household income meets these revised thresholds. It does not change program benefits or structure, only the income eligibility percentages. The amendment is part of defining program terms in Arizona Revised Statutes Section 36-2981.

Maddy summaryHB 2382 requires Arizona employers to implement written heat and cold illness prevention programs for workers. It mandates free water access (at least one quart per hour), 10-minute cool-down breaks every two hours (more frequent at 100°F), and thermometer monitoring when temperatures reach 80°F or higher. Employers must provide shade access, cold-related safety plans for indoor work below 60°F, and personal protective equipment at no cost when engineering controls are insufficient. The bill directly affects all Arizona employers with indoor or outdoor workers, including those with vehicle-based work requiring air conditioning below 80°F.

Maddy summaryHB 2373 sets new qualifications for Arizona county attorneys, directly affecting all current and future holders of this position. The bill requires county attorneys to be licensed attorneys in good standing who have practiced law in Arizona for at least five years prior to taking office. It also prohibits county boards of supervisors from paying salary to anyone ineligible under these new standards. Current county attorneys serving on the bill's effective date may continue until their current term expires. The bill amends existing law to strengthen eligibility requirements for this elected county office.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the powers and duties of the Arizona Department of Health Services director, specifically expanding authority to inspect premises and vehicles for health violations. It allows the director to enter a wider range of locations, including restaurants and factories, to enforce health laws and requires public hearings before leasing state hospital property to third parties. Additionally, the legislation grants the director flexibility to delegate certain functions to local health agencies and establish emergency measures for controlling infectious diseases. The changes aim to streamline public health enforcement and improve the management of state hospital assets without altering the core structure of the department.

Maddy summarySB 1174 expands tuition waiver scholarships in Arizona for children and spouses of public safety and military personnel who died in the line of duty or from injuries sustained while traveling to or from work. The bill specifically includes individuals who suffered a posttraumatic stress injury and died by suicide, requiring verification from relevant memorial boards or the department of veterans' services. Eligible recipients can receive up to 64 credit hours at community colleges or enough credits for a bachelor's degree at universities, provided they meet age and marital status requirements. Additionally, the law extends these benefits to National Guard members with Purple Heart citations and veterans with significant service-connected disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes standards and reporting requirements for Arizona schools offering online instruction, affecting public school districts and charter school authorizers. It mandates that these schools meet specific criteria regarding curriculum, safety measures like internet filtering, faculty expertise, and student testing compliance. Additionally, the bill requires online schools to submit annual data on course completion and student performance to the Department of Education and maintain daily logs tracking student academic time.

Maddy summaryArizona Senate Bill 1485 updates the rules for the state's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), which provide funds to eligible students for private education. The bill clarifies that parents must use these funds primarily for core academic subjects and explicitly prohibits using the money to pay for a student's transportation or to purchase general computer hardware like televisions or video game consoles. It also expands allowable expenses to include specific educational therapies, assistive technology, and vocational training for students who meet certain eligibility criteria. Additionally, the legislation reinforces restrictions by forbidding parents from simultaneously holding an ESA and a scholarship from a tuition organization or filing a homeschooling affidavit for the same student.