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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
vaccination status; denial; prohibition
Purpose
Prohibits health professionals and health care institutions from denying or adversely affecting a person's health care based on the person's vaccination status and establishes a cause of action for individuals whose care is denied or adversely affected.
Background
Health professionals include podiatrists, chiropractors, dentists, medical and osteopathic physicians and surgeons, naturopathic physicians, nurses, dispensing opticians, optometrists, pharmacists, physical therapists, psychologists, veterinarians, physician assistants, radiologic technologists, homeopathic physicians, behavioral health professionals, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, acupuncturists, athletic trainers, massage therapists, nursing care institution administrators, assisted living facilities managers, midwifes, audiologists and speech pathologists (A.R.S. § 32-3201).
Health care institutions in Arizona are licensed and regulated by the Department of Health Services. A health care institution is every place, institution, building or agency, whether organized for profit or not, that provides facilities with medical services, nursing services, behavioral health services, health screening services, other health-related services, supervisory care services, personal care services or directed care services and includes home health agencies, outdoor behavioral health care programs and hospice service agencies (A.R.S. § 36-401).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits health professionals and health care institutions from denying care or services to any person or adversely affecting a person's options for, priority level of or quality of health care based on the person's vaccination status.
2. Establishes a legal cause of action for a person who believes that the person's health care has been adversely affected based on vaccination status.
3. Subject a health professional or health care institution who denies care based on vaccination status to a civil penalty of $500 per violation or three times the amount of actual damages suffered, whichever is greater.
4. Allows the court to award punitive damages, court costs and reasonable attorney fees to plaintiff who prevails in an action.
5. Specifies that, notwithstanding any other law, a public health emergency declaration, health care crisis or pandemic does not:
a) exempt health professionals or health care institutions from the prohibition on denying care based on vaccination status; or
b) override or exempt health professionals or health care institutions from the vaccination status protections.
6. Requires any health care-related mandate issued in response to a public health emergency declaration, health care crisis or pandemic to be interpreted and enforced in a manner that preserves protections relating to care regardless of vaccination status.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 16, 2026
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