SB 1410 — charter schools; financial records

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced Version Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies the requirements and processes for charter school applications and operations in Arizona.

• 15-183

  the state board for charter schools shall not grant a charter to a school district governing board for a new charter school or for the conversion of an existing district public school to a charter school. → the state board for charter schools may not grant a charter to a school district governing board for a new charter school or for the conversion of an existing district public school to a charter school.

  The change clarifies that the state board for charter schools is explicitly prohibited from granting charters to school district governing boards.

• 15-183

  and if the proposed sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, that the applicant is sufficiently qualified to operate a charter school. → and if the proposed sponsor determines, within its sole discretion, that the applicant is sufficiently qualified to operate a charter school.

  This change emphasizes the discretion of the proposed sponsor in determining the qualifications of applicants.

• 15-183

  for the purpose of providing enrollment preferences. → for the purpose of providing enrollment preferences or health and wellness services.

  This addition expands the purposes for which an affiliation agreement may be intended to include health and wellness services.

• 15-183

  for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check pursuant to section 41-1750 and Public Law 92-544. → for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check pursuant to section 41-1750, Public Law 92-544 and any other applicable law.

  This change broadens the basis for criminal records checks to include compliance with any other applicable law.

• 15-183

  that possesses a valid fingerprint clearance card is arrested for or is charged with an offense listed in section 41-1758.03, subsection B. → that possesses a valid fingerprint clearance card is arrested for or is charged with an offense listed in section 41-1758.03, subsection B, and within 10 days of the arrest or charge.

  This specifies a time frame within which a charter school must report arrests or charges for unprofessional conduct.

• 15-183

  an applicant's current employer and the two most recent previous employers except for applicants who have been employed for at least five years by the applicant's most recent employer. → an applicant's current employer and the two most recent previous employers, provided that references may not be required if the applicant has been employed for at least five years by the applicant's most recent employer.

  This change clarifies the conditions under which reference checks are necessary.

• 15-183

  is deemed to have complied with section 15-512 and is entitled to the same rights and protections provided to school districts by section 15-512. → is deemed to have complied with section 15-512 and is entitled to the same rights and protections provided to school districts by section 15-512 or any other applicable law.

  This modifies the language to further ensure charter schools have the same rights and protections as school districts under relevant laws.

• 15-183

  once every one hundred twenty days until the date that the fingerprint check is completed or the fingerprint clearance card is issued or denied. → every one hundred twenty days until the date that the fingerprint check is completed or the fingerprint clearance card is issued or denied, with evidence from fingerprint submission stored in the applicant's personnel file.

  This change highlights that documentation of fingerprint submission must be recorded in the applicant's personnel file.

• 15-183

  operates as a separate charter holder by considering factors such as whether: → operates as a separate charter holder by considering multiple factors, including:

  This amendment clarifies the factors that should be evaluated for applicants operating as separate charter holders.

• 15-183

  by the department of education pursuant to section 15-505. → by the department of education pursuant to section 15-505 or its successor.

  This change allows for the potential future revision of the relevant laws regarding the certification of educators.

Action History

1. January 28, 2026

   Senate Second Reading

2. January 27, 2026

   Senate First Reading

Sponsors

• Sally Ann Gonzales · Cosponsor
• Denise “Mitzi” Epstein · Primary

Subjects