NOTE: The general effective date of the bills listed below is September 29, 2021

HB2410 – SAVE HAVEN; NEWBORN INFANT AGE
Final Action: Signed into law by the Governor 4/9.

Summary: For the purpose of protocols for the placement of newborn infants who are left with safe haven providers, the definition of "newborn infant" is expanded to include infants who are up to 30 days of age or younger, instead of those who are 72 hours of age or younger. Impact to Early Childhood: Aligns with best practices and laws in 30+ states. This gives time for any health conditions related to labor and delivery to be resolved and time for families to fully consider their options. May prevent harm to infants if parents feel they can relinquish the child safely and with no legal ramifications.

SB1011: MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Final Action: Signed by the Governor 3/18.

Summary: As amended, establishes a 21-member Maternal Mental Health Advisory Committee to recommend improvements for screening and treating maternal mental health disorders. New members added include a representative from the Department of Health Service's Maternal Health Program and an insurer to the committee. Impact to Early Childhood: The committee’s recommendations could result in improved identification and treatment of maternal health issues. Maternal mental health is imperative for the mother’s health and to a stable environment for the newborn.

HB2016: CHILD CARE; ASSISTANCE; EDUCATION TRAINING
Final Action: Signed into law by the Governor on 4/28.

Summary:  The Department of Economic Security is authorized to waive a portion or the entirety of the work requirements to a person who is enrolled full-time in an accredited educational institution in order to continue to provide supplemental child care assistance subsidies for the dependent child. Impact to Early Childhood: Prevents a family currently receiving a child care subsidy from losing their child care assistance if the parent enrolls in an education or technical degree program.

HB2406:/SB1462 APPROPRIATION; CHILD CARE SERVICES
Final Action: Signed into law by Governor Ducey on 2/12.

Summary:  Appropriates $92.7M in funds from the federal CARES Act aimed at supporting child care providers through the pandemic. Impact to Early Childhood: Federal CARES Act funds were a crucial support to many child care providers struggling to stay open through the pandemic due to low enrollment, staff illness, and higher operating costs.

SB1572 – SCHOOLS; EARLY LITERACY
Latest Action: Transmitted to the Governor 6/30; awaiting signature. 

Summary: Delays dyslexia training and screening requirements. Establishes a literacy endorsement for qualified teachers and creates an entry evaluation tool for kindergarten pupils with parental notification requirements. Creates a K-3 Reading Program report. Impact to Early Childhood: It mandates the State Board of Education beginning August 1, 2022, to require all approved educator preparation programs in early childhood education to have the necessary courses to obtain a literacy endorsement.

NOTE: The general effective date of the bills listed below is July 1, 2021

SB1823 – GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT; 2021-2022
Final Action: Signed into law by Governor Ducey on 6/30.

• Allocates $30 million for rate increases for providers of services to individuals with developmental disabilities. 
  • Related to SB1355 - DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; PROVIDER INCREASES.
• Provides full expenditure authority for all available federal child care funds, including funding allocated to Arizona through the federal budget and COVID relief packages, totaling over $1 billion. Additionally, states any child care provider rate increases are wholly contingent on federal funds and may not continue in future years.

SB1824 – HEALTH; BUDGET RECONCILIATION; 2021-2022
Final Action: Signed into law by Governor Ducey on 6/30.

• Makes changes to the Newborn Screening Program to include all congenital disorders recommended by the uniform screening panel adopted by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
  • Related to SB1680 - NEWBORN SCREENING PROGRAM; TESTING. 
• Appropriates $1.5 million for the Family Health Pilot Program and requires DHS to distribute monies to at least 2 non-profit organizations to implement a statewide system providing direct services, support, and social service case management and referrals to parents of children under 2 (including unborn children).

HB2898 – K-12 EDUCATION; BUDGET RECONCILIATION; 2021-2022
Final Action: Signed into law by Governor Ducey on 6/30.

• Increases formula funding for special education by $50 million (includes preschool students).
• Prohibits school districts and charter school governing boards from requiring students and staff to wear face coverings or receive a COVID vaccine for in-person instruction. This applies to preschool/child-care programs at public schools only; it does not apply to private schools, providers or private entities.