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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
personal identifying information; disclosure; prohibition
Purpose
Prohibits the Department of Health Services (DHS) from selling or disclosing any personal identifying information of an emergency medical care technician (EMCT) without the EMCT's consent. Allows DHS to disclose identification that has been de-identified or aggregated and does not reasonably allow the identification of an EMCT.
DHS is responsible for regulating emergency medical services in Arizona, which includes defining the scope of practice and certification requirements for EMCTs, accrediting EMCT training programs, conducting background checks and investigating complaints. An EMCT is an individual who has been certified by DHS as an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, emergency medical technician I-99 or a paramedic (A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 21.1).
Information, documents and records received by or prepared by DHS in connection with an investigation that relates to EMCTs are confidential and are not subject to public inspection or civil discovery. The results of the investigation and DHS's final decision are available to the public only after the investigation is completed and the investigation file is closed. DHS may release any public documents that do not include confidential information (DHS).
All public officers and public bodies must maintain all public records reasonably necessary or appropriate to maintain an accurate knowledge of their official activities and activities that are supported by monies from the state or a political subdivision of the state. Each public officer or public body is responsible for the preservation, maintenance and care of the respective officer's or body's public records. A person may make a public records request as authorized by statute by requesting to examine or be provided copies, printouts or photographs of any public record. The custodian of public records must promptly furnish the public records request and access to a public record is deemed denied if a custodian fails to promptly respond to the request in the manner prescribed by statute (A.R.S. §§ 39-101 and 39-121.01).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits DHS from selling or disclosing any personal identifying information of an EMCT without the EMCT's consent.
2. Declares the personal identifying information of an EMCT confidential and exempt from public records laws.
3. Allows DHS to disclose identification that has been de-identified or aggregated and does not reasonably allow the identification of an EMCT.
4. Defines personal identifying information as any information that identifies or that could be used to identify an EMCT.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 9, 2026
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