Bill > HB2209

This bill establishes protections against retaliation for individuals interacting with health profession regulatory boards in Arizona. It prohibits these boards from taking or threatening adverse actions, such as delaying or revoking licenses, initiating investigations, or imposing fines, against a "protected individual" for making a "protected disclosure" (which includes reporting violations of law, misuse of authority, fraud, or conduct endangering public safety in good faith), cooperating with investigations, refusing to participate in illegal conduct, seeking legal advice, or assisting others in making disclosures. If a protected individual can show they made a protected disclosure and faced adverse action within two years, the burden shifts to the board to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the action would have occurred regardless of the disclosure. The Attorney General and county attorneys are empowered to investigate complaints and file civil actions, and protected individuals can sue the boards directly in superior court for violations, seeking remedies like reinstatement, expungement of records, injunctions, damages (including lost earnings and emotional distress), civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation, attorney fees, and punitive damages for malicious retaliation. The bill also mandates confidentiality for the identity of protected individuals unless they consent or a court orders disclosure, and defines key terms like "protected individual" and "protected disclosure."

Health and Social Services

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83879