ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

House: GOV DP 7-0-0-0

HB 2228: elder abuse; registry; attorney general

Sponsor: Representative Blackman, LD 7

Caucus & COW

Overview

Mandates that a person filing an action under Adult Protective Services must submit a report to the Attorney General (AG) within two years of submitting the initial notice. Outlines procedures for the AG when reports are not submitted.

History

The Elder Abuse Registry (Registry) is a list maintained by the AG that includes civil, criminal and administrative actions involving vulnerable adults. A vulnerable adult is an individual who is 18 years or older and who is unable to protect himself from abuse, neglect or exploitation by others because of a physical or mental impairment (Elder Abuse Registry, A.R.S. § 46-451).

Current statute requires that a person who files an action under Adult Protective Services must serve notice and a copy of the pleading to the AG within 30 days of the action being filed in the superior court. The notice must identify the action and the person against whom the complaint is and their attorney. The person serving notice is responsible for submitting a report on the final disposition of the case within 30 days of the final action. The AG is required to keep the Registry with: 1) the persons' names who file actions; 2) the action's file date in the superior court or the date the administrative decision was rendered; 3) the dates of conduct in the complaint, the indictment or decision; 4) the general nature of the complaint, indictment or decision; and 5) the disposition of the complaint, indictment or decision (A.R.S. § 46-457).

Provisions

1. Requires an individual who files an action under Adult Protection Services to submit a follow-up report to the AG within two years of the initial notice, indicating whether the action is ongoing. (Sec. 1)

2. Specifies that if a report is not submitted within two years, the AG may:

a. update the Registry, if the AG is able to determine the status or disposition of the actions; or

b. delete the information from the Registry, if the AG is unable to determine the status or disposition of the actions. (Sec. 1)

3. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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7. Initials ML/MN HB 2228

8. 1/28/2026 Page 0 Caucus & COW

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