The new bill authored by State Rep. Keshel in the Arizona House seeks to incorporate fetal development education into health curricula for middle school students, with parental opt-out provisions, according to the Arizona State House.
The bill, introduced as HB2670 on Jan. 21, during the first regular session of the 57th Legislature, was formally listed with the short title: ‘health education; fetal development instruction’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates that the Arizona State Board of Education incorporate fetal development instruction into the health education curricula for students in grades seven and eight, covering human reproduction, pregnancy, and the trimester-based growth of an unborn child. It allows for optional inclusion of this instruction for grades one through six and nine through twelve, depending on age appropriateness. Additionally, the bill provides parents the option to excuse their child from this instruction if desired, requiring school districts and charter schools to inform parents about the course content and the withdrawal option.
The bill was co-sponsored by Walt Blackman (Republican-7th District), Selina Bliss (Republican-1st District), and Joseph Chaplik (Republican-3rd District), along with 16 other sponsors.
Since the beginning of the session, Keshel has proposed another 14 bills, with three of them being adopted.
Jones graduated from Metropolitan State the University of Denver in 2002 with a BA.
Rachel Jones is currently serving in the Arizona State House, representing the state’s 17th House District. She replaced previous state representative Jennifer Pawlik in 2023.
In Arizona, the legislative process begins when a bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. It is then assigned to one or more committees for discussion and possible amendment. If approved by committee, the bill proceeds to floor debate and voting in both chambers. If both chambers pass the bill, it is sent to the governor, who may sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. The Arizona Legislature convenes annually in regular session starting the second Monday in January. Lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills each session, though only a portion make it into law. You can learn more about the legislative process on the Arizona State Legislature website.
Bills Introduced by Rachel Keshel in Arizona House During 1st Regular Session of the 57th Legislative Session
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB2670 | 01/21/2025 | This bill mandates that the Arizona State Board of Education incorporate fetal development instruction into the health education curricula for students in grades seven and eight, covering human reproduction, pregnancy, and the trimester-based growth of an unborn child. It allows for optional inclusion of this instruction for grades one through six and nine through twelve, depending on age appropriateness. Additionally, the bill provides parents the option to excuse their child from this instruction if desired, requiring school districts and charter schools to inform parents about the course content and the withdrawal option. |
| HB2442 | 01/16/2025 | This bill amends several sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to condominiums and planned communities. Key changes include the requirement that any proposed budget by a homeowners’ association (HOA) or condominium association, if it involves an increase greater than the consumer price index, must be ratified by a majority vote of unit or property owners. The bill also limits the board’s ability to spend reserve funds without owner approval unless previously authorized in the declaration and mandates that unanticipated expenses necessitating a budget amendment also require ratification. Additionally, failing to comply with these budgeting and financial protocols renders any resulting action or assessment invalid and unenforceable. The bill mandates an annual financial audit, review, or compilation that must be completed within 180 days after the fiscal year ends, and unit owners must receive a copy within 30 days of completion. It specifies notification and response timelines for bylaws violations, enabling members to contest these notices before further action is taken, including administrative hearings. |
| HB2441 | 01/16/2025 | This bill amends section 32-2082 of the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning the state board of psychologist examiners. It outlines the board’s authority during investigations into a psychologist’s professional conduct or competence, allowing the board and its agents to examine and copy relevant documents, issue subpoenas, and petition the superior court for subpoena enforcement. A person served with a subpoena may contest it within five days. The bill also permits legal representation for individuals appearing before the board during investigations. Investigation documents remain confidential unless ordered by a court, although the complainant is entitled to copies of the documents reviewed, subject to state and federal law. Communications between a psychologist and client are not protected in these investigations, but the board must keep client or patient names confidential. |
| HB2440 | 01/16/2025 | This bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes to prohibit the attorney general from prosecuting or filing civil actions against a county board of supervisors member for voting against election canvass certification if the member’s decision is based on a good faith belief of unresolved issues affecting election integrity or accuracy, or on documentation suggesting potential irregularities. The bill allows the attorney general to investigate or prosecute other election-related offenses. It defines good faith belief and types of acceptable evidence while including a severability clause to ensure other provisions remain effective if one is found invalid. The bill takes effect after Dec. 31, 2025. |
| HB2439 | 01/16/2025 | This bill mandates that by Dec. 1, 2025, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System must feature conspicuous links on their homepages directing users to information in both English and Spanish about public and private agencies assisting women during pregnancy, childbirth, and while their child remains dependent. These listings will exclude agencies related to abortion. The sites will provide details like services offered, addresses, phone numbers and website links. The bill specifies a separate webpage, accessible through AdoptionOption.AZ.gov, featuring non-abortion-affiliated adoption agencies, guidance for exploring adoption, options for choosing adoptive parents, and agencies offering free ultrasounds and confidential counseling. Information will be printable and downloadable easily. |
| HB2438 | 01/16/2025 | This bill amends Section 36-337 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifying conditions under which the state registrar must amend birth certificates. It permits amendments based on adoption certificates, voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, or if there is evidence of a sex change operation verified by a physician or chromosomal evidence establishing a different sex than recorded. Amendments to include the father’s name are contingent on court or administrative orders, or voluntary paternity acknowledgments. Following amendments due to adoption, birth certificates can retain original birth details upon request. The bill mandates the sealing of original and evidentiary documents upon amendment and allows access only under specific legal conditions. Additionally, it prohibits judges pro tempore or commissioners from ordering amendments according to prescribed specifications. The bill effectively details the procedural steps and documentation required for the amendment of birth certificates in Arizona. |
| HB2256 | 01/15/2025 | This bill prohibits Arizona courts from considering testimony or making rulings in legal decision-making or parenting time cases based solely on allegations of parental alienation. Parental alienation is defined in the bill as the psychological manipulation of a child that results in unwarranted fear, disrespect, or hostility toward a parent or other family member. By amending title 25, chapter 4, article 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, the bill aims to ensure decisions regarding parenting time and custody are not influenced by claims of parental alienation without supporting evidence. |
| HB2255 | 01/15/2025 | This bill amends sections of Arizona Revised Statutes related to legal decision-making and parenting time. It allows the court to interview children in chambers to understand their custodial preferences and seek professional advice if necessary. Evaluations concerning a child’s best interests must be conducted by professionals with expertise in child development or domestic violence. Courts are prohibited from ordering psychiatric evaluations of parents unless there’s a high risk of harm to the child. Professional fees for these evaluations are to be covered by the court. In contested custody cases, the court may order investigations by licensed professionals, also funded by the court, to assess legal decision-making or parenting time arrangements. These reports must be sent to counsel at least 10 days before the hearing, and all consulted parties’ information must be made available. |
| HB2254 | 01/15/2025 | This bill amends sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to legal decision-making and parenting time. It allows parties in these proceedings to request temporary orders, which require supporting pleadings and can be awarded after a hearing or based solely on the pleadings if unopposed. The bill mandates that temporary orders be reevaluated within six months, with a required evidentiary hearing upon request to determine whether continuation or modification is in the child’s best interest. Legal decision-making and parenting time proceedings are given scheduling priority, requiring an evidentiary hearing within 60 days unless waived, addressed separately, or delayed by extraordinary circumstances. Courts may incur necessary costs for individuals deemed essential for the child’s best interest. If public hearings could harm the child, they may be closed, and sensitive records may be sealed. Temporary orders must include specific factual findings related to the child’s best interests, with a minimum of 120 minutes allocated for evidentiary hearings. |
| HB2155 | 01/13/2025 | This bill amends Arizona’s income tax laws by allowing specific subtractions from gross income. Notably, it provides subtractions for adoption-related expenses, capping at $3,000 for individual tax years before Dec. 31, 2025, and increasing to $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for married couples filing jointly afterward. The bill specifies subtractions for retirement benefits, partner income disparities, military compensation, certain educational and retirement contributions, and specific capital gains. It also addresses virtual currency airdrops, allowing subtractions for initial received values. The bill is effective for tax years aligning with these specified conditions and thresholds. |
| HB2154 | 01/13/2025 | The bill amends Arizona election law concerning the active early voting list, establishing provisions for maintaining this list as part of the voter registration roll. It outlines the process for voters to request inclusion on the list, details conditions under which a voter may be moved to inactive status, and provides guidelines for sending notifications and ballots. The bill specifies requirements for updating or confirming voter information and sets penalties for violations, such as distributing request forms without using the designated political subdivision address. Additionally, the bill describes the removal process for voters who fail to vote using early ballots in consecutive election cycles and mandates the use of “not at this address” for misdelivered ballots. |
| HB2153 | 01/13/2025 | The bill amends section 16-590 of the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning the appointment and presence of political party challengers and representatives at voting locations. It allows the county chairman of each political party to designate a party agent or representative, and alternates, for each precinct or voting location, including on-site, emergency, and other early voting locations. One challenger from each political party is allowed to be present at a voting location but cannot enter a voting booth except to mark their ballot. The bill stipulates that the number of party representatives present at a location must be mutually agreed upon by all political parties on the ballot; if no agreement is reached, it defaults to one representative per party. Additionally, challengers and party representatives must be state residents and registered voters in Arizona. |
| HB2152 | 01/13/2025 | The bill amends Arizona law to allow either party in domestic relations proceedings, such as marriage dissolution or custody cases, to request a jury trial. The request must be in writing and filed with the court, scheduling a trial at least 30 days after the request. A jury can determine factual issues including property classification, the value of community assets, child custody, potential relocations, spousal maintenance, and other statutory findings, such as domestic violence or abuse allegations. The court will issue orders on parenting time, child support, and spousal maintenance, incorporating the jury’s factual findings. A jury’s verdict is binding on the court, and the Arizona Supreme Court can establish rules for these jury trials. |
| HB2017 | 01/03/2025 | This bill amends various sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to the conduct of elections. It prohibits the use of voting centers, requiring polling places to be established within each precinct before an election. As of 2026, the Department of Administration must coordinate with state agencies to make state-owned facilities available for elections, and public schools must provide space unless valid reasons are given. The bill mandates that election precincts contain no more than 1,000 registered voters, and adjusts procedures for appointing election boards, early voting, and on-site ballot tabulation. Several unlawful acts concerning voting behaviors, such as electioneering and ballot handling within a designated proximity of the polls, are outlined as misdemeanors. An effective date for changes made by the bill is not specified in the text. |
| HB2016 | 01/03/2025 | This bill amends Arizona’s legal requirements on reporting child abuse, specifying that any person who reasonably believes a minor is a victim of physical injury, abuse, neglect, or denial of medical care must report this to authorities. The bill includes exceptions where clergy members may withhold reporting information received during confessions under specific religious tenets, but not in cases of personal observations. The requirement to report does not apply to consensual activities among minors aged 14 to 17 or accidental injuries during typical school activities when documented by the school. Health professionals must report if a newborn is suspected to be affected by drugs. Immunity is provided to those reporting in good faith, and violations of these reporting duties can result in misdemeanor or felony charges. The amendments also clarify definitions of abuse, neglect, and reportable offenses, extending reporting duties to include supervisors and administrators of mandated reporters. |
