Arizona House bill by Rep. Epstein requires schools to disclose health care credentials

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Denise “Mitzi” Epstein seeks to increase transparency by requiring Arizona school districts and charter schools to provide parents information about health care credentials and emergency response training of staff upon request, according to the Arizona State Senate.

It passed both chambers as of May 7, clearing the House by a vote of 58-0 and the Senate by a vote of 26-3.

The bill, introduced as SB1383 on Jan. 29, during the first regular session of the 57th Legislature, was formally listed with the short title: ‘schools; health services; disclosures’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill requires school districts and charter schools in Arizona to disclose the health care credentials of individuals providing routine health care services to students upon request by a student’s parent or guardian. Additionally, it mandates these educational institutions provide information about the types of emergency response training required for school employees, such as CPR training, when requested by a parent or guardian. The bill specifies that it does not require the release of personal information of employees or health care providers, like addresses or social security numbers. “Health care credentials” are defined as a license, certificate, permit, or registration under title 32.

In the House, 25 Democrats and 33 Republicans voted in favor, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 12 Democrats and 14 Republicans voted in favor while three Republicans voted against it.

Epstein introduced the bill in the Arizona Senate on Jan. 29 during the first regular session of the 57th Legislature.

The bill was co-sponsored by Eva Diaz (Democrat-22nd District), and Brian Fernandez (Democrat-23rd District), and Theresa Hatathlie (Democrat-6th District), along with three others.

Epstein graduated from Bradley University in 1983 with a BS.

Epstein, a Democrat, was elected to the Arizona State Senate in 2022 to represent the state’s 12th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Warren Petersen.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs on May 13.

In Arizona, the legislative process begins when a bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. It is then assigned to one or more committees for discussion and possible amendment. If approved by committee, the bill proceeds to floor debate and voting in both chambers. If both chambers pass the bill, it is sent to the governor, who may sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. The Arizona Legislature convenes annually in regular session starting the second Monday in January. Lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills each session, though only a portion make it into law. You can learn more about the legislative process on the Arizona State Legislature website.