Education (Student Health)

introduced · Arizona · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 1692: ESAs; tutors; safety; rules

SB 1692 clarifies eligibility requirements for Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, which provides state-funded tuition assistance for students attending private schools. It directly affects students with disabilities (per IDEA or state disability definitions), children from schools rated "D" or "F," military-connected children, foster youth, and those from low-income households eligible for free lunch. Key provisions update definitions to specify how students qualify (e.g., requiring online students to log minimum instructional hours) and ensure schools receiving funds meet safety and non-discrimination standards. The bill modifies existing statutes without creating new funding, focusing on administrative clarity for the current ESA program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies ESA eligibility, expanding state-funded private school access for vulnerable student groups including disabled students and low-income families90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid Student Health

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 1811: school policies; internet; wireless devices

Arizona's SB 1811 requires school districts and charter schools to create policies governing student internet access and wireless device use during the school day. These policies must allow teachers to provide social media access for educational purposes, limit device use otherwise, and include exceptions for emergencies, medical needs, or parent communication. Schools must provide annual written notices to parents, teachers, and students about these policies and clarify terms like "school day" (including meals and recess) and "wireless communication devices." The bill directly affects schools, students, and parents by standardizing device and internet rules while prioritizing educational use and safety.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires policies enabling educational social media use and clear device guidelines, supporting teacher instructional tools and student access during school hours.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires schools to allow educational social media/internet use, expanding access for learning while setting clear boundaries for appropriate technology use in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Broadband Access Social Media Telecommunications

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 1697: school meals; school personnel; requirements

SB 1697 prohibits Arizona public schools from shaming or treating students differently due to unpaid meal fees, ensuring all students receive the same meals regardless of payment status. It specifically bans school staff from serving different meals (except for dietary/religious needs) or taking disciplinary action that denies students nutritious meals meeting state nutrition standards. The law directly affects students with unpaid meal fees and requires schools to maintain equal treatment and meal access during the instructional day. This policy change focuses on preventing stigma and ensuring consistent access to required meals, without altering meal eligibility or financial assistance processes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits discrimination against students with unpaid meal fees, ensuring equal access to nutritious meals and protecting educational access per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures equal access to nutritious school meals, directly supporting public health nutrition programs by preventing discrimination based on meal payment status.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2831: school safety program; alternative proposals

HB 2831 establishes Arizona's School Safety Program within the Department of Education to fund school safety initiatives. It directly affects 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 campus infrastructure improvements. Schools must submit detailed proposals outlining safety needs, plans for collaboration with law enforcement or mental health resources, and evaluation methods. If a school cannot place requested personnel, it may instead apply for an "alternative proposal" to fund safety technology, training, or building upgrades like secured entrances. The program requires annual spending plan updates and verification visits by the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state funding for school safety programs, directly allocating budget resources to public safety initiatives under government spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funds for school safety initiatives including counselors, resource officers, and infrastructure improvements, directly advancing school environment and safety within education funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds counselors/social workers (mental health services) under school safety program, directly supporting mental health care in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 1595: public schools; teachers; lunch breaks

Arizona's SB 1595 requires all Arizona public schools to provide full-time certificated teachers (including those contracted through third parties) with a daily 30-minute lunch break that is separate from planning time and scheduled during their regular workday. The bill prohibits schools from increasing teachers' work hours to accommodate these breaks or assigning any official duties during lunch periods. Schools may only temporarily assign duties during lunch breaks for up to one day per week during emergency personnel shortages. This law directly affects public school teachers by guaranteeing uninterrupted lunch time as a standard work requirement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires mandatory 30-min lunch breaks for teachers, prohibiting duty assignments and work hour increases, directly supporting educator welfare and work conditions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2685: appropriation; K-12 mental health; telehealth

HB 2685 allocates $5 million from a consumer restitution fund to provide three-year grants for up to three telehealth mental health providers serving Arizona K-12 schools. The grants fund providers who offer free, evidence-based mental health services (like therapy for anxiety and depression) via telehealth during school hours, coordinate with school staff, and serve all students regardless of insurance or payment ability. Providers must meet specific criteria, including not having received prior state funding for similar services and demonstrating capacity to serve diverse communities from urban to tribal schools. The funding is exempt from standard appropriation lapsing rules until June 2029. This bill directly affects Arizona public school students by expanding access to in-school mental health support through telehealth.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $5M for telehealth mental health services in K-12 schools, funding free evidence-based care for all students during school hours, directly advancing student mental health access within education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $5M for telehealth mental health services in K-12 schools, expanding free, evidence-based student access to care regardless of insurance or payment ability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2638: school mental health professionals; academy

HB 2638 creates the Arizona School Mental Health Professionals Academy to address staffing shortages in public schools. It provides graduate students pursuing school psychology, social work, or counseling degrees with scholarships covering tuition and fees (up to three years) at eligible Arizona institutions, in exchange for a one-year service commitment in public schools after graduation. The program prioritizes critical need areas like rural schools, Indian reservation schools, and schools serving students with disabilities. The Arizona Board of Regents manages a dedicated fund for administering the academy, tracking participants, and ensuring graduates fulfill their service obligations in public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides scholarships for mental health professionals to address school staffing shortages in underserved areas, directly funding and strengthening school support services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides scholarships for mental health professionals in schools to address staffing shortages, directly advancing mental health services access in educational settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Arizona · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 2579: appropriation; free school meals; ADE

HB 2579 appropriates $4.5 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Department of Education to provide free school meals to children meeting federal income eligibility standards for free and reduced-price lunches. The bill directly affects qualifying Arizona students in public schools by expanding access to meals without cost to families. Key provisions include using state funds to cover meal costs for eligible children under existing federal nutrition program criteria and establishing the appropriation as ongoing funding for future years. This policy change modifies state funding allocation for school nutrition programs without altering federal eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $4.5M from state general fund to expand free school meals program, increasing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $4.5M state funds to cover meal costs for eligible students, expanding access to free school meals under federal nutrition programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Student Health

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 2152: TPT; exemption; fencing; watering; materials

HB 2152 amends Arizona's retail tax code to add new exemptions from state sales tax. It specifically removes sales tax on medical items like insulin, prescription eyewear, prosthetics, durable medical equipment (e.g., wheelchairs), and hearing aids. The bill also exempts food purchased with SNAP benefits, school meals, textbooks, and certain business services. These changes directly affect retailers selling these items, healthcare providers, schools, and food assistance programs by reducing taxable sales. The policy updates the existing tax code without altering broader tax structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts medical items, SNAP food, school meals, and textbooks from sales tax, providing direct tax relief for lower/middle-income groups and essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts textbooks and school meals from sales tax, reducing costs for educational materials and meals, directly supporting educational access and affordability.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts insulin, prosthetics, and durable medical equipment from sales tax, reducing patient costs and improving access to essential healthcare items.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Student Health

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 1409: feminine hygiene products; school; appropriation

SB 1409 requires Arizona public schools serving grades 6-12 to provide free tampons and sanitary napkins in all women's and gender-neutral restrooms. It directly affects school districts and charter schools, mandating they make these products available without charging students or families. The bill allocates $2.5 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Department of Education for distribution to schools to cover the costs. This is a concrete policy change ensuring access to essential hygiene products in school settings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.5M from state general fund to cover mandated feminine hygiene product costs, directly funding a new public service requirement.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2.5M state funds to provide free feminine hygiene products in schools, improving student access to education by removing financial barriers for K-12 students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free feminine hygiene products in schools via state funding, improving access to essential health supplies for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Student Health

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