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ArizonaHB 2621Fifty-seventh Legislature - Second Regular SessionHouseWALLET

public schools; special education; access

Sponsored By: Matt Gress (Republican)

Signed by Governor

accessactive military duty (s)children with disabilities (s)county school superintendentscourt (s)definition (s)definitions (s)education (s)education - title 15governing board (s)homeless children (s)other school districts (s)posting requirement (s)public educationpublic schoolspupils (s)services or accommodations (s)special educationstate placing agency (s)superintendentstuition charges (s)unorganized territory

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Clearer enrollment for rural and placed pupils

Parents can request enrollment for children in unorganized territories, and the closest adjoining district must enroll them after a request. Some pupils in unorganized territories or covered residential placements count as resident pupils, and parents can request continued enrollment after a child’s residence changes. Districts must provide certificate application materials, and a pupil, parent, legal representative, or other interested person can apply directly. Districts have five business days to forward a complete request, and county superintendents have five business days to issue a certificate or explain a denial. State placing agencies must create an enrollment form by June 30, 2027; starting in fiscal year 2027–2028, districts must accept it as proof of eligibility.

Smoother school transitions for military families

A child of an active-duty parent transferred, or awaiting transfer, to an Arizona military installation meets school residency rules. Schools must accept enrollment applications by any method, including remotely, and parents must provide residency proof within 10 days after the arrival date on official documents. Temporary, purchased, or leased housing can serve as proof. For a child who receives or may qualify for special education or Section 504 support, the district must provide comparable services while records are checked and adopt or create an IEP within 30 calendar days after enrollment.

Special education access in rural territories

Families in unorganized territories can request screening, evaluation, or enrollment through the geographically closest adjoining district. For eligible children receiving early intervention, the transition to school services generally starts at least 90 days before the child’s third birthday. The law protects special education evaluation timelines and preserves rights to evaluation and equitable services for covered pupils. If a parent requests enrollment for a child with a disability, the district must provide a free appropriate public education.

Changed school support for placed children

The law removes a certificate route and related attendance-count rules for pupils in specified state or court placements; it does not name a replacement route. Some districts no longer need to apply for a certificate for children in private residential care, safety, or treatment facilities. However, the applicable residential education voucher ends in the described cases, while districts must still provide services or pay prorated tuition when required. The law also removes a state direction to reimburse districts for certain costs above per-student amounts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matt Gress

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 158 • No: 0

House vote • 6/1/2026

Concurrence: Passed

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 6/1/2026

Final Reading: Passed

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/16/2026

Third Reading: Passed

Yes: 27 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2026

Education: DPA

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2026

Third Reading: Passed

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/23/2026

Rules: C&P

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote • 2/17/2026

Education: DPA/SE

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    6/4/2026Governor

  2. Final Reading: Passed

    6/1/2026House

  3. Concurrence: Passed

    6/1/2026House

  4. Third Reading: Passed

    4/16/2026Senate

  5. Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    4/16/2026Senate

  6. Rules: PFC

    3/30/2026Senate

  7. Education: DPA

    3/25/2026Senate

  8. Senate Second Reading

    3/18/2026Senate

  9. Senate First Reading

    3/17/2026Senate

  10. Third Reading: Passed

    3/11/2026House

  11. Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    3/9/2026House

  12. Rules: C&P

    2/23/2026House

  13. Education: DPA/SE

    2/17/2026House

  14. House Second Reading

    1/26/2026House

  15. House First Reading

    1/22/2026House

Bill Text

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