The Overview
If you're a nurse in Arizona, a new state law could change how a past complaint follows you through your career. Arizona House Bill 2408, which covers the nursing board, regulatory actions and expungement, became law after Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed it June 22. The law takes effect Sept. 12.
What the Law Does
When a complaint is filed against a nurse, the board investigates and may take disciplinary action. Under the new law, nurses can petition to have certain regulatory records cleared from their file, giving them a formal route to move past resolved or dismissed complaints. The Arizona State Board of Nursing said it is developing implementation guidance for the law. Until that guidance is finalized, nurses seeking to use the new expungement process should watch for updates from the board on how to file a petition.
Legislative Status
Rep. Julie Willoughby (R) sponsored the bill. The Arizona House passed it 41 to 14 on March 3. The Arizona Senate passed it 23 to six on June 12. The House passed the bill 42 to 11 on June 13. The Arizona Nurses Association said the legislation advances patient safety while ensuring nurses receive fair and timely treatment during complaint investigations.
---
AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.
---
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article