*Sponsorship has changed since the bill was introduced

 

 

REFERENCE TITLE: hospitals; outpatient surgical centers; nurses

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

2025

 

 

 

HB 2132

 

*Introduced by

Representatives Bliss: Willoughby;  Senators Burch, Shamp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Act

 

amending title 36, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 36-434.02; relating to health care institutions.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 36, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 36-434.02, to read:

START_STATUTE36-434.02. Outpatient surgical centers; hospitals; policies; circulator nurses; definition

A. On or before January 1, 2026, each outpatient surgical center and hospital shall adopt and implement policies requiring a registered nurse to be a circulator who is physically present in an operating room for the duration of each surgical procedure.

B. The department shall ensure compliance with this section during any onsite inspection and in response to any complaint received relating to a violation of this section.

C. For the purposes of this section, "circulator" means a registered nurse who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15 and who is educated and trained in perioperative nursing to both:

1. Coordinate the nursing care and safety needs of the patient in the operating room.

2. Support the surgical team, as appropriate, during surgery. END_STATUTE