Rep. Matt Gress

Maddy summaryHB 2653 requires Arizona law enforcement and prosecutors to redact victims' personal details - including names, addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers - from public records and case disclosures in criminal cases, unless specific exceptions apply. Victims can request this redaction if disclosure might lead to harassment, threats, or witness tampering. Exceptions include when the victim (or their representative for minors) consents, a court orders disclosure, or the information is needed for a defendant's constitutional rights. The bill also clarifies that a victim's address may still be disclosed in body-worn camera footage if the defendant already knows it due to a domestic relationship.

Maddy summarySB 1106, titled "Ava's Law," modifies Arizona's public entity liability rules regarding sexual offenses. It clarifies that public entities (like schools or government agencies) generally cannot be held liable for sexual offenses committed by employees against minors or children with disabilities, **unless** the entity violated a duty to check employee backgrounds or failed to report known risks. The law applies only to offenses occurring on or after December 31, 2027, and does not affect liability for vehicle-related incidents or emergency care. This bill focuses on defining specific circumstances where public entities may face liability, not broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2670 requires Arizona public schools to include specific fetal development instruction in health education for students in grades 7 and 8, covering human reproduction, pregnancy, infertility, and trimester-by-trimester growth of an unborn child. School districts may also offer age-appropriate fetal development lessons in grades 1-6 or 9-12. Parents can opt their child out of this instruction, and schools must notify parents about the curriculum and withdrawal options. The bill passed the legislature in April 2025 but was vetoed by the governor on April 18, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 1308 clarifies and regulates sober living homes in Arizona. It requires municipalities to allow zoning deviations for these homes as a fair housing accommodation and prohibits reclassifying single-family homes solely due to a sober living home license application. The bill also bans financial incentives (like kickbacks) for referring clients to sober living homes or treatment facilities, classifying violations as felonies based on the amount involved. Additionally, it establishes licensing standards requiring homes to support medication-assisted treatment and implement fair drug testing policies, while defining "sober living home" as alcohol/drug-free housing that promotes recovery without on-site medical services.

Maddy summaryHB 2484 requires Arizona school districts and charter schools to adopt policies governing student internet access and wireless device use during the school day. Specifically, it mandates restrictions on social media access (except for teacher-directed educational use) and limits wireless device use, with exceptions for education, emergencies, medical needs, and parent contact procedures. Schools must provide annual written notices of these policies to parents, teachers, and students at the start of each school year. The law applies to all K-12 public schools in Arizona and defines "school day" to include all school time, such as meals and recess.

Maddy summaryHB 2066 modifies Arizona's child care licensing rules for facilities opting for licensure. It allows out-of-school time program providers to maintain a single roster of school-age children for the entire facility instead of separate rosters for each room or activity area. Additionally, the bill requires new license applications to include a notarized attestation from a registered architect confirming that the facility's architectural plans meet department standards. These changes streamline administrative requirements for licensed child care facilities while maintaining safety and oversight. The bill passed in April 2025 and is now law.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona law (HB 2114) changes how sexual acts with minors are classified and punished under state law. It creates stricter felony classifications based on the minor’s age and the offender’s circumstances: sexual conduct with a minor under 12 who suffers serious injury is now a life sentence with no parole, while acts with minors under 15 are class 2 felonies. For minors aged 15 or older, penalties range from class 6 (standard) to class 4 (if offender is over 20) or class 2 (if offender was in a position of trust, with no probation or early release allowed). The law directly affects individuals convicted of sexual acts with minors, imposing mandatory jail time in some cases and eliminating eligibility for early release in the most severe scenarios. The bill was signed into law in April 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1437 requires school employees (including teachers, substitute teachers, and administrators) to immediately report suspected child abuse, neglect, or physical injury of minors they reasonably believe occurred. It expands mandatory reporting duties to cover school personnel who develop such reasonable beliefs during their employment, while maintaining exemptions for clergy confessions and accidental playground injuries during school hours. The law mandates immediate electronic or phone reports containing specific details (minor’s identity, nature of harm, etc.) to child safety authorities, and allows school staff to take photographs or arrange forensic interviews during investigations. It also clarifies that school administrators must report only if they believe a required reporter hasn’t already done so, and specifies that medical records must be shared confidentially with investigators upon written request.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) passed by Arizona lawmakers expressing support for the Palo Verde Generating Station nuclear power plant and nuclear energy. It highlights Palo Verde's role as Arizona's largest clean energy source, economic contributor ($2.3 billion impact), and employer (3,000+ jobs), while noting public support for nuclear power. The resolution has no legal effect but formally endorses continued nuclear energy use and directs the Secretary of State to send copies to federal officials. It does not create new policies, funding, or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2677 allows Arizona middle school students (grades 6-8) to earn career and technical education (CTE) course credits that count toward both 8th-grade promotion and high school graduation. Schools offering these courses must partner with approved CTE providers, such as career districts, state-approved schools, or community colleges. They must report annually to the state on course offerings and student completions, with a final summary due by December 2028. The law applies only through the 2027-2028 school year and expires December 31, 2036.