ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

Senate: ED DP 5-2-0-0 | 3rd Read 28-0-2-0

SB 1727: medical schools; admissions; in-state students

Sponsor: Senator Werner, LD 4

Committee on Education

Overview

Establishes, effective January 1, 2027, requirements for an Arizona public university medical school relating to the posting of admissions information and the interviewing of in-state students.

History

Currently, of Arizona's three public universities, the University of Arizona (U of A) is the only public university that operates a medical school. The U of A College of Medicine maintains campuses in both Tucson and Phoenix (FY 2026 Baseline Book).

Statute requires the U of A College of Medicine to give priority consideration to applicants who demonstrate a willingness to practice in medically underserved areas of Arizona. The U of A College of Medicine must also prepare a plan with the goal of encouraging students to enter primary care disciplines. At least 60% of the residency positions available must be reserved for medical school graduates entering primary care programs, of which at least 12% of the available residency positions must be reserved for medical school graduates entering the family medicine program (A.R.S. §§ 15-1751 and 15-1753).

Provisions

1. Requires the medical school of an Arizona public university, consistent with any standards set by the national accrediting organization for the medical school, to:

a) post admissions information on its website and include the admissions information in student promotional materials;

b) offer to interview each applicant from Arizona who submits a timely application, meets or exceeds qualifications and requirements for admission and pays all application fees;

c) give priority consideration in the first round of admissions interviews to any applicant who is from Arizona and who meets admissions qualifications and requirements, if applicable;

d) report to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), by October 1, all the following information for the prior school year:

i. the number of applicants from Arizona who submitted a timely application for admission, who were interviewed and who were admitted to the medical school;

ii. a description of the procedures and actions the medical school implemented and undertook to comply with the prescribed admissions and interview requirements; and

iii. any other information requested by ABOR. (Sec. 1)

2. Specifies what must be included in the admissions information. (Sec. 1)

3. Declares an applicant is from Arizona if they are classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes or graduated from an Arizona high school. (Sec. 1)

4. Contains a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. (Sec. 2)

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8. SB 1727

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