SB 1072 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

medical boards; complaints; time limit

SB 1072 amends Arizona law to clarify medical board procedures for handling complaints about doctors. It requires health care facilities and medical professionals to report concerns about a doctor's competence, unprofessional conduct, or health issues (like drug or alcohol impairment), and mandates the medical board to investigate these reports. The board can then require doctors to undergo competency exams or rehabilitation programs at their expense, issue advisory letters, or impose license restrictions, while protecting reporters from civil liability and ensuring complainant anonymity. This bill directly affects doctors of medicine and health care institutions in Arizona by standardizing complaint handling and disciplinary actions to protect public safety.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Vetoed

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 15, 2025 Vetoed Apr 18, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Senate Engrossed Version · 7 edits · Feb 3, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Arizona's medical board regulations to modernize language, add new procedural steps for handling complaints, and clarify disciplinary actions. The changes include adding new subsections for consent agreements, formal interviews, and expanded disciplinary options like probation and censure. It also clarifies confidentiality protections and sets time limits for complaint resolution.

Scope change

The bill expands the Arizona Medical Board's authority to include new procedures for handling complaints and disciplinary actions, while maintaining the same core regulatory framework for osteopathic medicine boards.

REQUIREMENT

Added new subsection F allowing consent agreements to limit or restrict a doctor's practice without a formal interview

Added new subsection G clarifying that the board cannot disclose complainant names if anonymity is requested

Added new subsections H through Q detailing formal interview procedures, civil penalties ($1,000-$10,000), probation terms, and complaint dismissal procedures

Added new subsections T through V covering license surrender options and competitive relationship considerations in disciplinary decisions

Modified Section 32-1803 to clarify record deletion timelines and expand the public directory requirements for licensed physicians

TIMELINE

Added new subsection W establishing a one-year time limit for final action on complaints unrelated to public health and safety

DEFINITION

Updated language throughout to replace inconsistent capitalization and clarify terms like 'doctor of medicine' and 'board-approved programs'

Floor votes · Senate Feb 3, 2025 · House Apr 15, 2025

How they voted

20–10

Passed

Total votes 30

Feb 3, 2025

D Democratic13

3 Yea 10 Nay

76% Nay

R Republican17

17 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 18, 2025

Vetoed

Vetoed by Governor

executive

Apr 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

Mar 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors