Sen. Theresa Hatathlie

Maddy summarySB 1429, the Arizona Right to Contraception Act, establishes legal rights for individuals to access contraceptives and engage in contraception, and for healthcare providers to offer these services. It prohibits state or local restrictions that single out contraceptive services, such as requiring special permits for clinics or limiting access to specific methods. The law explicitly prevents interference with providers’ ability to prescribe contraceptives or patients’ ability to obtain them, while maintaining existing requirements for informed consent before sterilization procedures. This bill directly affects Arizonans seeking reproductive healthcare and licensed healthcare providers who prescribe or discuss contraception.

Maddy summarySB 1416 allows blind or visually impaired voters (and voters with print disabilities) in Arizona to request early ballots using a federal postcard application form. It requires counties to send ballots via the voter’s chosen method - electronic (internet/fax) or mail - within 45 days of an election for registered voters, eliminating the need for paper ballots if delivered electronically. Voters can also designate their preferred delivery method when applying, and counties must verify ballot receipt at no cost to the voter. This bill directly affects eligible voters with visual impairments or print disabilities by expanding accessible ballot delivery options under Arizona law.

Maddy summarySB 1419 creates a statewide recycling program for large electronic devices in Arizona, requiring manufacturers to establish and fund collection and recycling systems. It directly affects manufacturers of covered devices (like computer monitors over 4 inches, desktops, laptops, and TVs over 4 inches), retailers selling these devices, and households/businesses that use them. Key provisions include mandatory manufacturer registration with the state by 2026, annual fees, labeling requirements for products, and plans for statewide collection sites (including at least one per city over 50,000 residents). The law prohibits sales of covered devices without compliance and mandates environmentally sound recycling, excluding appliances, industrial equipment, and small devices.

Maddy summarySB 1422 repeals two Arizona laws (ARS 9-500.38 and 11-269.16) and amends ARS 44-1648 to clarify that statewide registration of scrap metal dealers is a "matter of statewide concern," preempting local registration requirements. However, cities, towns, and counties retain authority to enforce business licensing rules for scrap metal dealers, including systems requiring background checks or fingerprinting of owners. Existing licenses held by scrap metal dealers in good standing before September 13, 2013, remain valid and cannot be revoked solely for needing reapplication. This bill directly affects scrap metal dealers and local governments managing business licensing systems.

Maddy summarySB 1388 repeals a specific provision in Arizona law (Title 49, chapter 1, article 6) that previously prohibited certain greenhouse gas programs. This bill removes a legal restriction affecting how greenhouse gas programs can operate within Arizona. The repeal would allow state agencies or programs to implement greenhouse gas initiatives without the prior prohibition. The bill is currently in early legislative stages, having passed its first two readings in the Senate on February 3-4, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1391 amends Arizona's environmental statute to strengthen the Department of Environmental Quality's role in protecting water resources. It specifically adds a duty for the department to "promote and coordinate the protection and enhancement of the quality of water resources" as part of its core responsibilities. This procedural update clarifies the department's authority to develop policies and coordinate efforts for water quality, without establishing new pollutant limits or directly regulating specific entities. The bill focuses on the department's internal framework for addressing water protection, not on new standards or enforcement actions.

Maddy summarySB 1421 establishes a state-run program to monitor contaminants like pesticides and metals in Arizona’s sport fish. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality must test fish in all recreational waters (especially urban areas) every three years, conduct annual screenings for new high-risk sites, and develop health risk assessments with the Department of Health Services. If contamination poses health risks, the department must issue bilingual (English/Spanish) health advisories and post signage at fishing locations, including parks, piers, and online fishing reports. The program requires $500,000 in state funding for fiscal year 2025-2026 to cover monitoring, assessments, and public notifications. This directly affects recreational anglers and communities near water bodies where fish consumption may pose health risks.

Maddy summarySB 1385 requires Arizona public schools serving grades 6-12 to provide free tampons and sanitary napkins in all women's and gender-neutral restrooms. This directly affects students in those grades and school districts, which must distribute the products without charging students or families. The bill appropriates $2.5 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Education for distribution to schools. The law ensures access to feminine hygiene products without cost to students while specifying the types of products covered.

Maddy summarySB 1417 expands Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, allowing parents of eligible students (K-12) to use state funds for approved educational expenses. It requires parents to agree to use funds only for specific items like tuition at participating schools, textbooks, tutoring, approved therapies, and educational technology - while prohibiting use for non-educational items (e.g., video games) or concurrent school tuition organization scholarships. The bill also mandates annual evaluations by independent teams for students nearing age 22 to determine continued eligibility for funding. This directly affects ESA participants and their families, who must adhere to strict spending rules and annual review requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1428 requires Arizona school districts to implement "Stop the Bleed" programs starting in the 2025-2026 school year, directly affecting schools, nurses, and students. It mandates schools to place at least one federally endorsed bleed control kit (containing tourniquets, bandages, gloves, and instructional materials) in accessible locations, include kits in safety plans, and inspect them annually. The state will fund the initiative with $180,000 for kit purchases and distribution through the Department of Health Services, with the program ending December 31, 2028. The bill focuses on equipping schools to manage severe bleeding emergencies through standardized first-aid resources and training.