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.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1495 requires the state's National Guard to stay within Arizona unless Congress formally declares war or takes specific action under the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 15) to call the Guard for specific purposes like enforcing federal law or repelling invasion. The bill defines "active duty combat" as participating in armed conflict, performing hazardous duties related to conflict abroad, or using "instrumentality of war." It mandates the governor to ensure compliance with these requirements before deploying the Guard. This bill directly affects Arizona's National Guard deployment decisions and the governor's authority to release troops. The measure is procedural, focusing on constitutional requirements for Guard mobilization.
Maddy summaryHB 2769 transfers four specific parcels of state-owned land in Mohave County (adjacent to the Colorado River) from Arizona's state land department to the city of Bullhead City. The bill directs the state land commissioner to deliver a deed to Bullhead City within 10 days of the law's effective date. The transferred land must be managed permanently by the city for public parks and recreation purposes and cannot be sold or exchanged. This procedural bill (passed March 27, 2025, and signed April 1, 2025) directly affects Bullhead City's land holdings and future public space development.
Maddy summaryHB 2320 appropriates $1 million from the consumer restitution fund for Arizona's Department of Veterans' Services to provide grants to nonprofit organizations. These grants fund trauma-informed mental health services - including clinical care, physical training, nutritional guidance, and peer outreach - for veterans (of all eras and discharge statuses), active duty service members, and their families dealing with conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders. Nonprofits must partner with Arizona hospitals and universities to deliver these services statewide. The funding is exempt from standard appropriation lapse rules, ensuring consistent support for these programs.
Maddy summarySB 1142 prohibits foreign corporations, persons, or foreign nongovernmental entities from contributing money or in-kind goods/services to influence Arizona ballot measure elections. It directly affects campaign committees, entities, and individuals filing campaign finance reports under Arizona law. The bill requires these filers to certify under penalty of perjury that they haven't accepted such foreign contributions. Tribal nations are explicitly exempt from these provisions, as stated in Section C of the bill.
Maddy summarySB 1312 creates a state-funded program to help people transitioning from county jails back into communities. It provides $20 million in grants to Arizona counties (excluding Maricopa and Pima) to establish coordinated reentry planning services in jails, connecting individuals with treatment, housing, and other support services early in the justice process. Key requirements include creating a cross-system database to track recidivism and service engagement, forming collaborative planning committees with law enforcement, courts, and service providers, and submitting annual reports on participant risks (like homelessness or lack of healthcare) and repeat offenses. Counties must demonstrate program implementation within two years of receiving funds, including dedicated staff and data-sharing agreements.
Maddy summarySB 1297 allocates $6.5 million from Arizona's state general fund to create a grant program for municipal fire departments and fire districts. The grants fund hardware and software to establish a secure, statewide incident management platform meeting federal (FEMA) standards, enabling standardized command structures, common terminology, resource tracking, and secure communication during emergencies - including offline functionality and smartphone apps. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, fully covering costs for three years, but unspent funds must be returned within one year if not fully used. The Department of Administration must report grant recipients and amounts to legislative leaders by December 2025.
Maddy summarySB 1218 amends Arizona law to establish procedures for managing land designated as townsites (for incorporated cities/towns or unincorporated areas). It requires trustees (city councils or county supervisors) to enter land at federal offices, survey and plat the site within 3 months, maintain detailed financial records, and handle funds by first reimbursing those who paid for entry, then settling claims, and directing surplus to public improvements. The bill also authorizes trustees to sell unclaimed lots at auction or levy taxes if funds are insufficient, and to set aside land for schools, courthouses, or parks upon community petition. This directly affects local governments and residents in towns seeking to formalize land use for public development.
Maddy summarySB 1292 updates Arizona's background check requirements for school personnel by mandating identity-verified fingerprints for teachers, noncertificated staff (like tutors), and others working in schools or charter schools. It specifies that applicants must submit fingerprint cards with photo ID verification and a fee, processed by the Department of Public Safety, to obtain or renew fingerprint clearance cards. The bill eliminates the need for resubmitting fingerprints for renewals if original digital records remain valid and of sufficient quality. This policy change directly affects school employees seeking certification or employment in Arizona public or charter schools.
Maddy summarySB 1623 allocates $10 million from Arizona’s state general fund and $18.77 million in expenditure authority for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support graduate medical education programs. This funding directly assists hospitals and medical training programs across Arizona by covering both direct and indirect costs of residency training, including start-up expenses for new programs. The bill ensures state funds supplement, but do not replace, existing voluntary payments from local governments to hospitals running these programs. It also exempts these appropriations from standard budget lapse rules under Arizona law.