Education

signed · Arizona · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2255: teachers academy; community college students

HB 2255 establishes Arizona's Teachers Academy to support students pursuing teaching careers. Community college students in teacher preparation programs can receive scholarships covering tuition and fees for up to two years (four semesters) if they agree to teach in Arizona public schools for one year per year of scholarship support. The program prioritizes high-demand areas like special education, STEM, rural schools, and low-income districts, with scholarships requiring repayment if the teaching commitment isn't fulfilled. The initiative is funded through state appropriations and aims to address teacher shortages by linking financial aid to service in Arizona schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides scholarships for teacher prep students with service requirements, prioritizing high-demand education areas to strengthen teaching workforce and address shortages in critical schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Arizona · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 1166: accommodation schools; high school equivalency

SB 1166 allows Arizona county school superintendents to offer high school equivalency preparation instruction through accommodation schools to students in grades 10-12 who are at least 16 years old. Students must have written parental consent (or self-consent if emancipated) and must also enroll in a career or technical education program leading to a certification, license, or credential. The bill defines "high school equivalency preparation instruction" as coursework preparing students to pass the state-administered equivalency test. This policy change directly affects older high school students seeking an alternative to traditional graduation pathways.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates alternative high school equivalency pathway with career education, expanding student access to credentials and graduation options without restricting curriculum or funding.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

vetoed · Arizona · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2040: public educational institutions; adoption information

HB 2040 would require Arizona public schools to provide students with information about current U.S. adoption practices and state adoption resources whenever school staff discuss contraception, STI testing, or dispense contraception. It also mandates that sex education curricula for grades 7-12 include specific content about adoption practices, resources, and related laws. Schools must make curriculum materials available for parental review and hold public hearings before adopting or updating programs. The bill is currently pending in the Arizona legislature and has not been enacted.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates adoption information in sex education curricula, expanding required content to enhance student education on adoption resources within K-12 education.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2992: pilot program; sexual abuse prevention

HB 2992 establishes a two-year pilot program in Arizona public schools for students in grades 6-8, requiring six selected schools to provide evidence-based sexual abuse prevention education. The program mandates 4 hours of teacher training on prevention, identification, and responses to abuse (including technology-facilitated abuse), and 3 hours of age-appropriate student instruction focused on recognizing abuse, boundary violations, disclosure strategies, and bystander action. Parents may opt their child out of the program with written notice, and participating schools must submit a report by October 2028 detailing participation and feedback. The pilot is funded by $100,000 from the victim compensation fund and will expire after December 31, 2028.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates evidence-based sexual abuse prevention education in K-12 curriculum, enhancing student safety programs and teacher training within schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2239: child care; grant program; fund

HB 2239 establishes Arizona's Child Care Grant Program and a dedicated Child Care Infrastructure Fund to address statewide child care shortages. The bill provides grants to eligible applicants - including child care facilities, providers, and those seeking to open licensed operations - for services like underserved community care, nonstandard-hour care, infant/toddler care, and care for children with disabilities. It funds specific infrastructure improvements such as facility expansions, property acquisitions, renovations, provider training, licensing support, and start-up costs through the newly created fund. The program aims to increase affordable, accessible child care capacity, particularly in rural and low-income areas, as highlighted in the legislature's findings on underfunded early childhood services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for child care infrastructure, supporting early education access and underserved communities, aligning with educational access funding indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 2188: language acquisition grant program

HB 2188 establishes a state grant program to provide language acquisition services for infants and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing in Arizona. The program, administered by the state department, funds listening and spoken language services through contracted providers and requires referrals to both the grant program and the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind for American Sign Language (ASL) and other language options. Families accessing early intervention services must be directed to these resources. The bill directly affects families with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing, aiming to expand access to language development support through specific service referrals and state-funded grants.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes state grant program funding language acquisition services for deaf/hard of hearing infants/toddlers, expanding educational access and support through mandated referrals to specialized language services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds language services for deaf/hard-of-hearing infants through early intervention, improving healthcare access for communication needs in a healthcare-related context.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2020: educational institutions; interference; disruption

HB 2020 defines and penalizes interference with or disruption of public educational institutions in Arizona. It requires public schools, colleges, and universities to adopt rules for maintaining order on their property, with penalties including ejection, suspension, or expulsion for students and staff who violate these rules. The law classifies threatening harm as a class 1 misdemeanor for minors or a class 6 felony for adults (18+), while entering school property to disrupt operations is a class 1 misdemeanor. Private educational institutions are exempt from these requirements, and the bill explicitly preserves approved gun safety programs on campuses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses (school disruptions) with felonies, expanding criminalization. Contradicts reform goals of reducing criminalization.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prevents disruptions in schools to maintain order, protecting educational environments from interference, thus supporting institutional functioning.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2426: state land department; disposition plan

HB 2426 requires Arizona's State Land Commissioner to create and update a five-year plan for managing state trust lands (lands held in trust for public benefit, like education funding) within two years. It mandates written policies for updating the plan every five years and using it to decide when to sell land via public auction. The bill responds to years of non-compliance, as the State Land Department failed to produce required plans since 2016 and the oversight committee remained vacant. This requirement expires on June 30, 2029.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures proper management of state trust lands (held for education funding), safeguarding a key revenue source for schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2409: artificial intelligence; statewide education program

HB 2409 establishes a voluntary statewide summer education program for Arizona residents through the Department of Education. It creates two core curricula: one teaching digital safety (including spotting AI-generated misinformation, understanding algorithmic bias, and protecting personal data), and another providing practical AI skills for small business owners (covering marketing tools, operational automation, and ethical use). The program, offered at public facilities, allows participating schools or colleges to award academic credit for completion. It directly affects Arizona residents and small business owners by providing accessible, hands-on AI education without mandating school curriculum changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates voluntary AI education curricula for digital safety and business skills, expanding educational access and curriculum offerings in K-12 context95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes AI education curricula teaching data protection, algorithmic bias, and ethical AI use, directly promoting digital safety and responsible technology adoption.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2076: school safety; employee certification; policies

HB 2076 establishes Arizona's "Save Our Children School Safety Program" to enhance school safety through employee training and crisis preparedness. It creates a fund to reimburse public and private K-12 schools for employee certification costs (via approved programs) and school safety equipment, while allowing schools to adopt policies permitting certified employees to carry concealed firearms on campus. The bill requires schools to notify law enforcement about firearm-carrying employees, maintains confidentiality of employee training details, and grants immunity to certified staff acting in good faith during emergencies. Schools must report annually on program participation, fund usage, and effectiveness to state officials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides funding for school safety certifications and equipment, directly enhancing K-12 safety infrastructure and operational support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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