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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
influenza response plan; updates; review
Purpose
Requires the Department of Health Services (DHS), at least every two years, to update the Arizona Pandemic Influenza Response Plan (Plan) and submit it to the Legislature for review.
Background
Through a coordinated effort of DHS, the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, local health departments and other partners and stakeholders, the Plan was created in 2000 to lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic and promote an effective response. The Plan is intended to facilitate pandemic preparedness, which requires determining capabilities, roles and responsibilities needed to respond to the different pandemic planning periods established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. HHS). These periods represent different levels of impact on society, based on the progression of a novel influenza virus and its potential to cause a pandemic. In keeping with the national model, the Plan identifies responsible parties and prescribes necessary actions, based on the WHO/U.S. HHS pandemic periods. The Plan is intended to be reviewed and revised annually, with stakeholder input, but was last updated in May 2019 (DHS).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires DHS to update the Plan at least every two years.
2. Requires DHS to submit the updated Plan to the Health and Human Services Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, or their successor committees, for review.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 2, 2024
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