ADE; high school diplomas; database

HB 2158 requires Arizona's Department of Education to create a central database storing certificated electronic copies of high school diplomas issued by school districts, charter schools, or accommodation schools on or after January 1, 2027. The bill mandates that electronic copies must be convertible to portable document format and include all original diploma information. Individuals who earned diplomas after this date can request their own electronic copy through the database after verifying their identity, and the state may charge fees for this service. The bill directly affects Arizona high school graduates receiving diplomas from 2027 onward, replacing paper diplomas with a standardized electronic verification system.