Rep. Michele Peña

Maddy summaryHB 2828 creates a state grant program to fund nurse home visitor services for low-income pregnant women and their children up to age two. The Arizona Department of Child Safety will award annual grants to eligible organizations (like nonprofits, tribal nations, or county agencies) that provide voluntary, evidence-based services including health screenings, parenting support, referrals to services, and job resources. Organizations must use federally vetted models proven to reduce child maltreatment and improve maternal/child health outcomes. The program requires grantees to track participant data and submit annual reports on service delivery, with $6 million allocated for fiscal 2026-2027.

Maddy summaryHB 4135 creates a new child care tax credit for Arizona taxpayers with children under five who use certified child care providers. The credit provides $2,000 per child for families with federal adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less, and $1,000 for incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 annually. A total of $15 million in credits is available each year on a first-come, first-served basis, with excess credits paid as refunds. The credit applies to tax returns filed for 2026 and later, supporting working families seeking quality early childhood care.

Maddy summaryHB 2824 allows Arizona cities, towns, and counties to establish a financing program for property owners to fund energy efficiency and structural improvements on qualifying commercial, industrial, agricultural, or multi-family residential properties (with five or more units). The bill creates a legal framework for local governments to partner with private lenders to provide long-term financing for "critical capital expenditure improvements" (like energy upgrades with 10+ year lifespans) through a special assessment program. Property owners repay the financing via annual property taxes, not through direct loans, and the program cannot be used for residential properties with four or fewer units. This enables local governments to support property upgrades that improve energy efficiency and building functionality without direct public funding.

Maddy summaryHB 4047 establishes new licensing and regulatory requirements for medical spas in Arizona that provide medical or cosmetic services involving prescription medications. It requires these facilities to obtain a license, maintain a public database of licensed spas and their responsible licensed health care providers, and report serious adverse events (like life-threatening reactions or hospitalizations) to the board within five business days. The bill also mandates secure storage of prescription medications, prohibits deceptive marketing claims about medications, and gives the board authority to inspect facilities and enforce rules. This directly affects medical spas using prescription drugs, not regular spas or facilities already licensed under other statutes.

Maddy summarySB 1685 establishes the Arizona Commission on Latino Affairs, a body tasked with advising state leadership and supporting Latino communities. The commission includes nine voting members (seven Latino, two non-Latino, appointed by the governor) and eight advisory members with expertise in education, health, civil rights, social services, and small business. Its key duties include advising the governor on policies affecting Latinos, developing recommendations for health, education, and economic programs, and producing an annual report to the legislature. The bill also creates a dedicated fund for the commission’s operations and mandates an annual "Latino Legislative Day" to honor community contributions and discuss issues.

Maddy summaryHB 2958 expands dental coverage under Arizona's Medicaid program (AHCCCS) to include comprehensive dental care for pregnant women aged 21 and older, including extractions, without the annual $1,000 spending limit that applies to non-pregnant adults. This change ensures pregnant women enrolled in AHCCCS can access full dental treatment as part of prenatal care, removing prior financial restrictions. The bill directly affects pregnant women in the Medicaid program by adding this specific benefit to existing coverage. It does not alter dental coverage for non-pregnant adults or other program provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2969 amends Arizona's family law statutes to require courts to include specific safety planning procedures for behavioral health crises in parenting plans. It directly affects parents and judges in custody cases by mandating that parenting plans (Section 25-403.02) include "a procedure for notice and safety planning in the event of a behavioral health crisis" and temporary orders under Section 25-403.11. The key provision requires courts to integrate crisis safety protocols - such as temporary orders or expedited hearings - into custody arrangements when a parent experiences a behavioral health crisis, ensuring children's safety during such events. This bill does not create new crisis services but mandates that existing legal processes address behavioral health emergencies within custody orders. The bill is currently pending (House First Reading on 2026-02-05) and would apply to all Arizona family court cases involving parenting plans.

Maddy summaryHB 2679 creates a presumption that certain heart-related, perivascular, or pulmonary injuries, illnesses, or deaths in firefighters are work-related occupational diseases if they occur within 24 hours of a known incident during duty. To qualify, firefighters must have passed pre-employment physicals (without pre-existing conditions), followed NFPA 1582 medical standards, and been exposed to a specific event. Employers can only rebut this presumption with clear evidence of a pre-existing non-work condition that independently caused the issue, excluding factors like age, family history, or lifestyle. The bill explicitly states that tobacco use outside work duties cannot be used to challenge the presumption.

Maddy summaryHB 2682 creates Arizona's Rental Assistance Program, providing limited financial help to eligible renters facing temporary hardship. It directly affects tenants with at least one child under 18 who have lived in their rental for 12 months, are no more than two months behind on rent, and face an unexpected financial emergency. The program offers up to $5,000 or two months of rent per year (paid directly to landlords), requires proof of future income, and prohibits evictions for covered months. The state appropriates $5 million for this program in fiscal year 2026-2027, and tenants must also complete free financial literacy classes.

Maddy summaryHB 2959 creates "Kindness Charity Special Plates" for Arizona vehicle owners. To obtain these plates, a donor must pay $32,000 to the state department to fund the program, design the plate (with department approval), and cover a $25 annual fee per plate. Of the $25 fee, $17 is donated to a new "Kindness Charity Special Plate Fund" established by the bill, while $8 covers administrative costs. This program directly affects donors who choose to support the fund through license plate purchases.