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SB 1384

STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Sara Feigenholtz

SB 1384 authorizes pediatric clinicians to inform families with young children about home gun-safety, and requires DHS to post a gun-safety pamphlet online by Jan 1, 2026.

Referred to Assignments
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1384

Summary — SB 1384 (Arizona) — Patient Information; Gun Safety

Status: Introduced (Senate), Referred to Assignments
Introduced: February 19, 2025
Primary Sponsor: Sen. Denise “Mitzi” Epstein
Cosponsors: Lela Alston, Lauren Kuby, Flavio Bravo, Brian Fernandez, Catherine Miranda, Eva Burch, Brian Garcia, Eva Diaz
Related/companion bills: HB 4888, HB 1065

Purpose / Intent

SB 1384 directs the State to promote firearm safety information for families with young children by (1) authorizing pediatric clinicians to inform parents/guardians about home gun-safety measures during well-baby and pediatric visits, and (2) requiring the Department of Health Services (DHS) to prepare and post a gun-safety pamphlet for parents/guardians on its website. The Legislature cites unintentional injury (including firearms) as a leading cause of death for children and adolescents and emphasizes educating parents about risks when firearms are accessible in the home.

Key provisions

  • Adds Arizona Revised Statutes:
    • §32-3230.02 (to Title 32, chapter 32, art. 1):
    • Authorizes — but does not require — a licensed physician (chapters 13, 14, or 17), licensed nurse practitioner (chapter 15), or licensed physician assistant (chapter 25) who provides well-baby and pediatric services to inform a child’s parent or guardian about gun safety measures that can be implemented at home.
    • Information may be provided verbally or by referencing the gun-safety pamphlet posted by DHS under §36-116. Examples: proper gun storage and risks to children who find guns.
    • §36-116 (to Title 36, chapter 1, art. 1):
    • Requires DHS to prepare a gun-safety pamphlet describing home measures parents/guardians can take (including proper storage and the risks to children) and to post it on the Department’s website.
    • Deadline: DHS must prepare and post the pamphlet on or before January 1, 2026, and update it as necessary.

Who is affected

  • Pediatric clinicians: physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants providing well-baby and pediatric services gain explicit statutory authorization to discuss or distribute gun-safety information to parents/guardians.
  • Parents and guardians of infants and children: intended recipients of the information.
  • Department of Health Services: responsible for preparing, posting, and updating the pamphlet.
  • Indirectly: children and adolescents who may benefit from increased household firearm safety.

Implementation, timeline and limits

  • DHS pamphlet required to be prepared and posted by January 1, 2026.
  • The bill is permissive (uses “may inform”), not mandatory; it does not create a duty to ask about or document firearm ownership, nor does it establish penalties, funding, or a reporting requirement.
  • No explicit funding appropriation or enforcement mechanism is included.
  • Narrow scope: authorization is limited to clinicians providing well-baby and pediatric services.

Potential impacts to note

  • May increase parental awareness of firearm risks and safe-storage practices, potentially reducing accidental injuries among children.
  • Places minimal administrative burden on clinicians (they are authorized, not required, to provide info) but creates a new DHS public education resource.
  • No change to clinician liability standards, privacy rules, or medical-record requirements is specified in the bill text.

If you want, I can draft a two-column quick facts sheet or a one-page explainer for clinicians and DHS outlining next steps for compliance and communication.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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