Labor & Employment (Employment Discrimination)

HB 2656 establishes an election worker harassment task force within Arizona's secretary of state's office to address harassment faced by election workers. The task force, composed of members including two assistant attorneys general, two law enforcement representatives, two election workers (from different parties), and four election officers, is responsible for investigating harassment complaints, coordinating prosecutions, and submitting annual reports starting January 1, 2028. The secretary of state provides administrative support and posts the annual reports online. This bill directly affects election workers and officers across Arizona’s cities, counties, and school districts who administer elections.

HB 2209 prohibits health profession regulatory boards from taking retaliatory actions against health professionals who report misconduct. It protects health professionals, applicants, residents, fellows, and trainees who make "protected disclosures" about violations of law, patient safety risks, misuse of authority, or other misconduct. Key mechanisms include requiring boards to prove non-retaliatory motives if a complaint is filed, allowing civil lawsuits for remedies like reinstated licenses, damages up to $25,000 per violation, and confidential investigations by attorneys general or county attorneys. The law defines retaliatory actions broadly to include license denials, expanded investigations, or public harassment.