We write and run our own policy at the Arizona Capitol.

We are proud to have a track record of advancing issues with bipartisan support. WFSA has successfully championed two bills that have been signed into law:

HB 2016 from the 2021 legislative session, was signed into law in 2021, making it possible for parents to maintain their childcare assistance while enrolling in full-time education and training programs that equip them for in-demand higher-wage jobs that lead to self-sufficiency.

HB 2111 from the 2022 legislative session, ensures single moms have support from the beginning of their pregnancy through a child’s early years through the expansion of the Healthy Families Arizona Program.

2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

Legislative Update – Key Bills Impacting Arizona Women, Families & Marginalized Communities 

At the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona, we are deeply committed to advancing gender equity and empowering women. As part of this mission, we want to empower you with the knowledge and tools to stay involved at the Arizona Legislature.

Below, you’ll find important updates on several key bills that WFSA is closely monitoring impacting women, families, and marginalized communities: 

OPPOSE:

• HB2062 sex-based terms; laws; rules; regulations – Defines sex-based terms based on biological sex at birth and allows the creation of separate single-sex environments. 
• HB2216 pregnancy centers; grant program – Establishes a grant program for pregnancy centers that do not promote or refer for abortion services. 
• HB2547 abortions; public funding; prohibition – Expands restrictions on state funding for organizations that perform or promote abortion services. 
• HB2681 abortion-inducing drugs; requirements –  Imposes additional requirements for prescribing abortion medications, including in-person verification and follow-up visits. 
• SB1002 pronouns; biological sex; school policies – Restricts school staff from using names or pronouns that do not align with a student’s biological sex without parental permission. 
• SB1003 public schools; restrooms; reasonable accommodations –  Requires public schools to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals uncomfortable using sex-designated restrooms and outlines legal recourse options. 
• SB1586 gender transition procedures; provider liability –  Holds healthcare providers liable for detransition costs up to 25 years after providing gender-affirming care to minors.

SUPPORT:

• HB2066 child care facilities; program providers – Streamlines licensing requirements for out-of-school time childcare providers. 
• HB2332 NOW: postpartum depression; education materials – Requires the Department of Health Services to develop, distribute and update educational materials on maternal mental health for healthcare providers and patients.  
• SB1305 temporary assistance; child only case – Extends Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance eligibility to children in kinship foster care. 
• SB1316 child fatality; maternal mortality –  Establishes a program to study and prevent maternal deaths. 

WFSA BILLS:

HB2648 would expand access to childcare by allowing individuals to enter the system for DES childcare subsidies while pursuing a full-time education, rather than requiring them to first obtain a job. We hope to eliminate a major barrier for parents striving for financial independence and sustainable employment.

SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS :  

• Childcare is difficult for most families, and even more challenging for folks who are low-income.  

• By allowing individuals to qualify for childcare subsidies while pursuing full-time education, HB2648 removes a critical barrier to self-sufficiency.  

• If successful, HB2648 will save the state money in the long term and support the Arizona economy by empowering a more trained and engaged workforce.  

• HB2648 will help Arizona families transition off public assistance by supporting educational attainment that leads to sustainable employment at a self-sufficient wage. 

SB1197 Salary History Ban prohibits employers from refusing to interview, hire, promote, or employ an applicant based on their decision not to disclose wage history. This bill is a critical step toward ensuring fair hiring practices and closing persistent wage gaps that disproportionately impact women and people of color.

SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS :  

• By eliminating wage history as a factor in hiring decisions, SB1197 ensures that salaries are determined by the value of the position and the qualifications of the applicant. 

• Ensuring that wages are based on merit rather than past earnings will help level the playing field and contribute to a stronger economy. 

• Basing salary offers on an applicant’s previous wages can perpetuate historical pay disparities, particularly for women and people of color, who have long faced systemic barriers to equal pay.  

• This is a bi-partisan policy that has passed in different forms in 22 states, 23 localities, and has been instituted by multiple businesses.  

TAKE ACTION:

We need your help! As these critical bills move through the legislature, we encourage you to make your voice heard. You can take action by sharing your comments and concerns on the bills directly with your legislators through email AND by signing in opposition or support of the bills through the Request to Speak (RTS) system. Your input can make a real difference in shaping policies across our state.  

1. Find and email your legislator! 

Please email your 3 legislators urging them to support or oppose the bills. To find your legislator, please complete the following steps.  

1. If you know your legislators, click here and skip to step 4. 

2. If you do not know your legislators: 

1. Click here to find the legislative district you live in by entering your address and zip code located at the upper left corner.  

3. After you find your district, click here to go to the member roster. 

4. At the top, click on “Senate Roster” to find your 1 Senator OR “House Roster” to find your 2 Representatives. 

5. Find your district number under the column “District” 

6. Click on member’s email under the “Email @azleg.gov” column. 

7. Type in your contact information, comments/concerns on the bill. Please be sure to note that you are a constituent! 

2. Sign up for the RTS System! 

If you have a Request to Speak (RTS) account, please complete the following steps.  

1. Go to https://apps.azleg.gov/Account/SignOn 

2. Enter your email address and password; 

3. Click the blue “Request to Speak” square icon; 

4. Click on “My Bill Positions” on the left hand side of the screen; 

5. Enter bill number into the “Bill Number” search box and click “FOR” or “AGAINST”; 

6. Click “Submit” 

If you DO NOT have an RTS Account, please complete our advocacy survey here. Once we receive your information, we will sign you up for an RTS account and sign you in to support the bill.  

NOTE: Please do not fill out this survey if you already have an active RTS account. You can check by trying to log on HERE. If you already created a RTS account at home, but are getting an error message that the account must be verified at the capitol, please email stephanie@goodmanschwartz.com for assistance. 

Click here to read the 2023 and 2024 Legislative Wrap-Up, which overviews the policies impacting women and girls from this legislative session.