Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signs 19 bills, including nursing home, botox, fireworks regulations

PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed 19 bills into law on Friday, including legislation on nursing home background checks, cosmetic procedures and overnight fireworks.

“Arizona is a land of opportunity for all and we believe government shouldn’t stand in the way of that,” Ducey said in a press release after signing the bills, which all were sponsored by fellow Republicans. “Today’s bills strengthen that belief.

“My thanks goes to all the lawmakers for their continued work to serve our great state.”

SB 1242 enhances screening procedures for caregivers and administrators at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Tyler Pace and passed with strong bipartisan support in both houses.

Ducey said the law increases protection for patients and residents at institutions regulated by the Arizona Board of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers.

“Our seniors — grandmothers, grandfathers and family members — deserve nothing less to ensure their safety, happiness and health,” he said.

SB 1074 gives dentists permission to administer botox shots for cosmetic purposes. Dentists already could use the procedure for medical purposes. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Nancy Barto and passed both houses with strong bipartisan support.

SB 1275 allows cities to prohibit the use of consumer fireworks between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. during the days they are permitted each year around New Year’s, Cinco de Mayo and Independence Day. The cutoff starts two hours later, at 1 a.m., for the New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July holidays.

The fireworks bill was sponsored by Sen. J.D. Mesnard and passed despite significant opposition from his own party. Twenty-one Republicans in the House and five in the Senate voted against it. However, only one Democrat voted no.

Here are the other bills signed by Ducey on Friday, with subject and sponsor:

• SB 1257: Long-term recreational vehicle parks; caregivers (J.D. Mesnard)
• SB 1088: Physicians; naturopathic medicine (Nancy Barto)
• SB 1190: Health care directives registry; access (T.J. Shope)
• SB 1069: Juvenile dependency; child placement (Barto)
• SB 1202: Nursing care; assisted living, continuation (Tyler Pace)
• SB 1073: Juveniles; adjudication; disposition; probation (Barto)
• SB 1300: Tribal college dual enrollment program (Shope)
• SB 1321: Conforming legislation; postsecondary education commission (Shope)
• SB 1066: Raffles; nonprofits; length of existence (Shope)
• SB 1115: In-state student stats; veterans (Sonny Borrelli)
• SB 1212: Veterans’ services department; commission; continuation (Vince Leach)
• SB 1276: State real estate department; continuation (Mesnard)
• SB 1376: Codes; ordinances; use of refrigerants (Rick Gray)
• SB 1238: State lands; appraisals; leases; rights-of-way (Sine Kerr)
• SB 1265: Property tax liens; foreclosures; notice (David Livingston)
• SB 1089: Liens; fees; exemption (Shope)

In most cases, new Arizona laws take effect 90 days after the close of the legislative session.

Follow @kstonezone