Sen. Carine Werner

Maddy summarySB 1475 prohibits Arizona students from participating in school-sponsored sports or activities if they have been convicted of, admitted to, or pleaded no contest to certain serious criminal offenses - including aggravated assault, sexual exploitation of minors, domestic violence, or stalking - or are charged with such offenses while awaiting trial. School districts must require students to certify their criminal history using a provided form and bar participation during pending cases for these offenses. The bill directly affects students facing these specific legal consequences and mandates school districts to implement these eligibility rules. It does not change criminal sentencing but modifies school participation policies based on defined criminal conduct.

Maddy summarySB 1494 is a technical correction to Arizona law that updates the terminology in Section 27-423 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. It replaces the outdated term "haulageways" with "haulage ways" in the existing requirement that mine haulage routes must be built and maintained safely for the equipment and operations using them. This bill does not change safety standards or affect any specific mining operation - it only corrects a minor drafting error in the statute. The title references "open pit mining" as the context for the affected infrastructure, but the bill itself only addresses the statutory language.

Maddy summarySB 1242 allows courts in Arizona to permit mental health hearings to be conducted virtually using audiovisual technology (like videoconferencing) when it won’t unfairly disadvantage any party. It requires courts to weigh factors like witness inconvenience and whether all parties can be heard clearly before approving virtual participation. The bill affects individuals in mental health proceedings (such as involuntary evaluations), their attorneys, and courts, while maintaining existing evidence rules requiring witness testimony about observed facts and clinical records. It does not change treatment standards but adds procedural flexibility for hearings. The bill is currently pending in the Arizona legislature (as of 2026).

Maddy summarySB 1171 requires Arizona's Medicaid program (AHCCCS) to conduct monthly reviews to ensure individuals are not enrolled in both AHCCCS and a health insurance plan purchased through the federal marketplace under the Affordable Care Act. If dual enrollment is identified, AHCCCS must notify affected individuals about the risks and potential liabilities of having duplicate coverage. The monthly review depends on data availability from the Public Assistance Reporting System and approval from federal health officials. This bill directly affects Arizonans enrolled in both AHCCCS and a federal marketplace plan, aiming to prevent duplicate coverage.

Maddy summarySB 1345 restricts Arizona health agencies from accepting or investigating anonymous complaints against healthcare facilities, requiring complaints to come directly from the person affected by the issue or from a witness to the alleged conduct. This bill directly affects the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, which handle facility complaints. The key provision prohibits anonymous complaints unless they originate from the subject of the allegation or a witness, eliminating the ability to file anonymous reports. The bill does not change healthcare standards or funding but alters the complaint process for state oversight agencies.

Maddy summarySB 1167 allows cities, towns, and counties in Arizona to post required public notices (like meeting agendas or legal notices) on their official websites instead of using traditional print or newspaper publications. It requires local governments to include a "Public Notices" link on their website homepage that categorizes all statutorily required notices. This change applies to most notice requirements under state law but excludes notices about proposed charters (as specified in Section 9-282). The bill directly affects local governments by streamlining how they fulfill public notice obligations.

Maddy summarySB 1243 updates Arizona's rules for releasing patients from court-ordered mental health treatment. It requires medical directors of treatment agencies to notify guardians, courts, and certain relatives or victims at least 10 days before releasing patients who no longer need inpatient care. For patients treated as dangers to others (under Section 13-4517), the bill mandates additional notice to prosecutors and courts at least 5 days prior to release. This affects patients in court-ordered treatment, their guardians, mental health agencies, and the courts overseeing these cases.

Maddy summarySB 1496 requires Arizona's Department of Child Safety (DCS) to proactively identify and apply for federal benefits (like Social Security or VA benefits) for children in their care within 60 days of placement. It mandates DCS to manage these benefits through special accounts (e.g., special needs trusts) for the child's unmet needs, prohibits using benefits to cover DCS costs, and requires annual accounting to the child, their attorney, and parents. The bill also establishes a mandatory 30-day search for relatives or significant caregivers when a child enters temporary custody, including detailed record checks and court filings, and requires DCS to notify identified relatives about placement options and support services. This bill directly affects children in DCS care and their potential relatives, changing DCS procedures for benefit management and kinship placement.

Maddy summarySB 1127 updates Arizona's child abuse reporting law by expanding who must report suspected abuse or neglect of minors. It requires specific professionals (like doctors, teachers, social workers) and others with care responsibilities to immediately report concerns to child safety authorities or police. The bill includes exceptions for clergy-confessions, accidental playground injuries during school hours, and consensual activities between teens. Reports must include details like the minor's identity, nature of harm, and previous incidents, but exempt certain medical treatment communications during non-court-ordered sex offender therapy.

Maddy summaryHB 2321 requires Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) caseworkers to place a security freeze on the credit report of any child entering state care within 30 days. This freeze prevents consumer reporting agencies from sharing the child's credit information without permission, protecting them from identity theft and fraud. The freeze remains in effect until the child (or their representative) requests removal, and agencies cannot charge fees for placing or removing it. The bill defines "protected person" to include children in DCS care and outlines specific steps for caseworkers and agencies to follow.