REFERENCE TITLE: patient information; gun safety

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

SB 1512

Introduced by

Senators Epstein: Alston, Gabaldón, Hernandez, Sundareshan

An Act

amending title 32, chapter 32, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 32-3230.02; amending title 36, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 36-116; relating to patient information.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 32, chapter 32, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 32-3230.02, to read:

START_STATUTE32-3230.02. Gun safety; parent information

A physician who is licensed pursuant to chapter 13, 14 or 17 of this title, a nurse practitioner who is licensed pursuant to chapter 15 of this title or a physician assistant who is licensed pursuant to chapter 25 of this title and who provides well-baby and pediatric services may inform the parent or guardian of a child during an office visit for such services of gun safety measures that may be implemented in the home.  Information on gun safety measures, including proper gun storage, and the risks to children who find a gun in the home may be provided to the parent or guardian verbally or by providing a reference to the gun safety pamphlet posted on the department of health services' website pursuant to section 36-116.END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Title 36, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 36-116, to read:

START_STATUTE36-116. Gun safety; pamphlet; posting

A. On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall prepare a pamphlet that includes information regarding gun safety measures that parents and guardians may implement in the home where children are present, including proper gun storage, and the risks to children who find a gun in the home. The department shall update this pamphlet as necessary.

B. The department shall post the gun safety pamphlet on the department's website.END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Legislative findings

The legislature finds that in the United States the leading cause of death among children and adolescents is unintentional injury, that firearms are a leading cause of those injuries and that over half of those children and adolescents killed by firearms are killed in their own home. The legislature further finds it necessary to educate parents about the unintended deadly consequences of having a gun in their home that could be accessible to children and adolescents.