ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB 2258: appropriation; alcohol; tobacco; drug education

Sponsor: Representative Thorpe, LD 6

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Appropriates $1,000,000 from the Health Education Account (HEA) in each fiscal year to the Department of Health Services (DHS) for partnering with agencies and nonprofits to teach children the health dangers of illegal substances, including electronic smoking devices.

History

DHS is responsible for the provision of most public health programs not administered by AHCCCS, the Arizona State Hospital (ASH), emergency medical services, state laboratory support, vital records maintenance, disease control, epidemiological monitoring and radiation regulation. HEA monies are used for community-based education, evaluation and other programs to discourage tobacco use among the general public, specifically targeting minors and culturally diverse populations. (A.R.S. §§ 36-772 and 36-104)

Current law allows the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF) or DHS to partner with state and local education agencies and facility-based nonprofit youth development organizations to annually teach children in grades 5-12 about the health dangers of federally defined illegal substances, tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, opioid and nonprescription pharmaceuticals (A.R.S. § 41-115)

Provisions

1. Appropriates $1,000,000 from HEA in each fiscal year to DHS for partnering with agencies and nonprofits to teach children about the health dangers of illegal substances, including electronic smoking devices. (Sec. 1)

2. Clarifies that GOYFF or DHS can partner with agencies and nonprofits to teach children about the health dangers of illegal substances, including electronic smoking devices. (Sec. 1)

3. Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

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7. Initials IG/AG Health & Human Services

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