SB 1711 requires Arizona's state board of education to create and maintain a list of age-appropriate resources for schools to teach students about recognizing inappropriate contact, including sexual contact. The department of education must post this list online and provide at least one resource per age group to all public schools. All Arizona public schools are then required to make these resources available to students and parents. The bill defines "age-appropriate" based on typical cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral development for specific age groups.
This bill requires every school district governing board member in Arizona to complete a training program at least once every two years. The training covers essential topics like school governance, fiduciary duties, policy development, community engagement, and legal responsibilities. Members must notify the county school superintendent after completing training, and failure to do so makes them ineligible for future election or appointment. School districts will cover costs for training provided by the Department of Education if counties do not offer it, with programs needing auditor general approval.
HB 2830 requires Arizona public schools to include age-appropriate, factual instruction on fetal and prenatal development within science education standards. The bill mandates that this instruction cover biological stages (from fertilization through birth), developmental milestones, and supporting structures like the placenta, while explicitly excluding topics such as sexual activity, contraception, or abortion. The state board of education must adopt these standards and determine suitable grade levels for the content. The law clarifies this instruction is not classified as sex education, so it does not require parental consent or opt-out procedures.
HB 2482 establishes a state fund to provide grants to Arizona public school districts for maintaining existing school facilities. It requires districts to submit preventive maintenance plans to qualify and restricts funds to critical repairs (e.g., safety issues or operational disruptions), major renovations for academic spaces, system upgrades, and infrastructure - excluding new construction, aesthetic remodeling, or routine maintenance. Grants must be spent within 12 months (with extensions for complex projects), and districts must follow strict procurement rules for projects over $50,000. Accommodation schools are ineligible, and unspent funds must be returned to the state. The division prioritizes critical projects and reports monthly on fund distribution.
HB 2142 establishes a school safety program within Arizona’s Department of Education to fund safety personnel and resources for schools. It directly affects Arizona public school districts and charter schools, which can apply for up to three years of funding to cover costs for school resource officers, counselors, social workers, safety technology, training, or infrastructure improvements. School applications must include detailed safety assessments, building plans, and specific plans for implementing programs (like law-related education or counseling services), with requirements differing based on whether the funding supports personnel or alternative safety measures. The program is administered by the Department of Education’s School Safety Center, which reviews proposals using crime and academic data and verifies school submissions.
SB 1009 requires Arizona high schools to provide all students with mandatory training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use during high school. The training must be age-appropriate, based on current national guidelines, and include hands-on practice (except for online students). Schools may accept donations for materials and must allow exemptions for students with parental consent, prior certification, or individualized education program accommodations. This policy directly affects all Arizona public high school students and mandates training through certified providers like EMTs, Red Cross representatives, or school staff.
This bill proposes changes to Arizona's higher education funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allows the state to match less than one dollar for every dollar collected from student registration fee surcharges and sets the specific amounts for state aid to community colleges for STEM and workforce programs. Additionally, it defines the limits for general operating state aid provided to community college districts. The legislation was vetoed by the Governor on May 5, 2026.
This bill amends Arizona state law to clarify how public funds are distributed to charter schools sponsored by state agencies, universities, or community colleges. It establishes specific rules for calculating financial support, including adjustments for small schools and provisions to prevent double-counting funds if a student is enrolled in both a charter and a traditional public school. Additionally, the legislation requires these schools to revise their student counts and budgets by mid-May and ensures that any grants received for basic operations reduce the state's financial contribution to avoid taxpayer duplication.
HB 2033 requires Arizona's state board of education to implement uniform statewide assessments in reading, writing, and math for at least four grades annually, while prohibiting assessments that promote sectarian or partisan views. It mandates collecting specific nontest data (like graduation/dropout rates by ethnicity) through surveys of school staff, with strict privacy protections under FERPA. The bill allows students to opt out of district assessments if they provide scores from nationally recognized tests (e.g., SAT, ACT) before testing begins. Additionally, it permits written tests for students with IEPs/504 plans, religious accommodations, or parent requests. This directly affects public schools, students, and educators by standardizing testing requirements and data collection.
This bill allows Arizona to participate in a federal tax credit program, enabling individuals to claim a credit for contributions to qualified scholarship organizations. Starting in 2027, certified Arizona scholarship groups can provide funds for elementary and secondary education expenses, such as tuition or materials, under federal law. The state’s Department of Education must certify these organizations, maintain a public list of them, and submit annual reports to the federal government to maintain eligibility. The bill does not create new scholarships but aligns Arizona with existing federal tax incentives for education-related donations.