Sen. Analise Ortiz

Maddy summaryArizona's HB 2464 repeals the specific "RIGHT TO WORK" article heading in the state's labor code (Section 23-1302) and reclassifies it under "GENERAL PROVISIONS." The bill maintains existing liability protections for employees who face retaliation for refusing union membership (Section 23-1306) and preserves the right to non-union membership as protected employment policy under Section 23-1501(vi). It does not change the substance of Arizona's right-to-work law but alters its legal classification within the statutes. The bill's implementation depends on a future voter-approved constitutional amendment.

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 2316 allows Arizona middle schools (grades 6-8) to offer career technical education (CTE) courses that count toward both 8th-grade promotion and high school graduation. Schools must partner with approved CTE providers like community colleges or state-approved programs, and students must pass courses to earn credit. The bill requires schools to report course offerings and completions annually, with a final report due by 2029, and expires in 2037. It permits CTE districts to fund middle school CTE courses without raising property taxes but prohibits counting middle school students in district enrollment totals.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 requires Arizona health insurance plans (including hospital service corporations, health care organizations, and disability insurers) to cover behavioral health services - such as mental health and substance use disorder treatment - starting January 1, 2027. The bill mandates insurers to provide out-of-network coverage with cost protections if in-network providers aren’t available within specific timeframes: 30 days for routine care, 7 days for residential care, and 24 hours for emergencies. Patients cannot pay more than their in-network copay, coinsurance, or deductible for these services, and insurers must document out-of-network payments for state review. This directly affects millions of Arizonans with insurance coverage for behavioral health needs.

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 2462 requires Arizona state governmental units to mandate that contractors and subcontractors on specific "covered contracts" submit certified payroll records. These records must accurately show hours worked, job classifications, wages paid, and include a signed compliance statement. The bill also ensures worker retention during contract transitions by requiring successor contractors to offer jobs to qualified previous employees and prohibiting unjustified terminations or hour cuts during the transition period. It explicitly states the bill does not create new wage requirements beyond existing law and excludes commodity contracts, fixed-delivery contracts, and contracts below a dollar threshold.

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 summaryThis bill prevents Arizona cities and towns from banning short-term rentals (like Airbnb properties). Instead, it allows local governments to regulate these rentals only for specific reasons: protecting public health/safety (e.g., fire codes), enforcing zoning rules equally applied to all housing, or preventing illegal activities. Key requirements include: owners must provide business license details and emergency contacts, obtain a permit with a $500 maximum fee, notify nearby neighbors before renting, and maintain $500,000 in liability insurance. The bill directly affects short-term rental property owners and local governments seeking to regulate them.