Sen. Kiana Sears

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1753) expands Arizona’s anti-discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public education, housing, and public accommodations. It defines "gender identity" as a person’s gender-related expression regardless of sex assigned at birth and requires public entities to provide gender-neutral restrooms in new public building constructions or major renovations. The law bans businesses from denying services, such as in restaurants or hotels, based on these protected characteristics, while allowing sex-segregated facilities for restrooms/locker rooms and permitting exclusions for safety reasons like intoxication or violence. It also mandates the state division to monitor discrimination and report annually to the legislature on enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits price gouging on essential goods and services during a declared state of emergency in Arizona. It makes it unlawful to sell items like food, water, electricity, medical supplies, or rent at prices 10% higher than the highest price charged 30 days before the emergency was declared. Violations are classified as felonies: selling for $500+ in 24 hours is a class 5 felony, while smaller amounts are class 6 felonies. The attorney general enforces these rules under existing consumer protection laws. The bill directly affects businesses selling essential items during emergencies.

Maddy summarySB 1692 clarifies eligibility requirements for Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, which provides state-funded tuition assistance for students attending private schools. It directly affects students with disabilities (per IDEA or state disability definitions), children from schools rated "D" or "F," military-connected children, foster youth, and those from low-income households eligible for free lunch. Key provisions update definitions to specify how students qualify (e.g., requiring online students to log minimum instructional hours) and ensure schools receiving funds meet safety and non-discrimination standards. The bill modifies existing statutes without creating new funding, focusing on administrative clarity for the current ESA program.

Maddy summarySB 1699 establishes Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (AESA) to provide public funds for K-12 education outside public schools. It directly affects parents of qualifying students who choose to withdraw from public school districts or charter schools and use AESA funds. The bill specifies that account monies can cover tuition at qualified schools, textbooks, educational therapies (for students meeting specific disability criteria), tutoring, approved curricula, and other education-related expenses like transportation and assistive technology. Parents must agree not to enroll students in public schools, accept concurrent private scholarships, or homeschool while using AESA funds.

Maddy summarySB 1706 establishes standards for Arizona's online instruction programs. It requires online schools to meet specific criteria for curriculum, student safety, and teacher qualifications before approval, and places new online schools on probation for up to three years until they demonstrate academic improvement. The bill mandates annual reporting to the state education department on student performance and daily attendance logs, and sets funding rules: full-time online students receive 95% of standard funding, while part-time students receive 85%. It directly affects online schools, students enrolled in virtual programs, and school districts managing hybrid enrollment. The bill does not relate to full-day kindergarten as implied by its title, but instead focuses on online education accountability and funding.

Maddy summarySB 1708 prohibits Arizona cities, counties, and state-owned property from being used for civil immigration enforcement without a valid judicial warrant. It bans local and state governments from allowing immigration officers to use parking lots, garages, or vacant lots as staging areas, processing sites, or bases for enforcement operations. Within 30 days of the law taking effect, all affected government entities must post clear signage at public entrances stating the property cannot host immigration enforcement without a warrant. The law also requires immigration officers to show a warrant before questioning, detaining, or arresting anyone on government property. This directly affects local governments and their property management practices regarding immigration enforcement activities.

Maddy summarySB 1693 (correcting the title discrepancy) primarily updates teacher certification rules, not superintendent requirements. It requires all teachers providing literacy instruction in kindergarten through grade 5 to obtain a literacy endorsement by specific deadlines (2028 for current teachers, within three years of certification for new teachers starting August 2025). The endorsement mandates evidence-based science of reading training covering foundational skills, high-quality materials, and interventions for reading deficiencies (including dyslexia). Teachers may bypass formal coursework through local district verification using classroom observations and student data, and the bill explicitly prohibits requiring a master's degree for certification.

Maddy summarySB 1797 prohibits manufacturers and distributors from engaging in "price gouging" on specific essential off-patent or generic drugs, defined as drugs without patent protection, listed by WHO or the U.S. as essential, and sold by few manufacturers. It directly affects drug companies selling these medications in Arizona, requiring them to justify price increases exceeding 50% within a year or exceeding $80 for basic treatment (e.g., 30-day supply). The state’s Medicaid program can trigger investigations for such increases, prompting manufacturers to submit cost breakdowns within 45 days. If violations are confirmed, the attorney general can seek court orders for restitution, injunctions, or civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation. The bill focuses on transparency and accountability for price hikes impacting affordability, not on altering drug approval or insurance coverage.

Maddy summarySB 1697 prohibits Arizona public schools from shaming or treating students differently due to unpaid meal fees, ensuring all students receive the same meals regardless of payment status. It specifically bans school staff from serving different meals (except for dietary/religious needs) or taking disciplinary action that denies students nutritious meals meeting state nutrition standards. The law directly affects students with unpaid meal fees and requires schools to maintain equal treatment and meal access during the instructional day. This policy change focuses on preventing stigma and ensuring consistent access to required meals, without altering meal eligibility or financial assistance processes.

Maddy summarySCR 1046, if approved by Arizona voters, would require public schools to identify students needing English language support, assess their proficiency, and provide structured English immersion programs with specific daily time requirements (120 minutes for K-5, 100 minutes for grades 6-12). It directly affects school districts, charter schools, and English learners (students whose primary language is not English). Key provisions include mandating high-quality language programs, allowing parents to sue schools for noncompliance, and requiring the state board to adopt research-based teaching models. The bill would replace existing laws on English learner education and needs voter approval to become law.