This bill proposes significant updates to Arizona's civil rights statutes by introducing new protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, which are currently not explicitly covered. It expands the definition of discrimination to include these categories in various contexts, such as public educational institutions, surveys, community efforts, and unlawful practices in public accommodations. Additionally, it clarifies that denying access to shared facilities based on gender identity constitutes discrimination. The bill also mandates that all single-occupancy restrooms in public buildings be designated as gender-neutral and requires appropriate signage for changing stations accommodating all genders.

Moreover, the bill would amend existing statutes by removing the number "11" and replacing it with "12" in the definition of "to rent," while expanding the list of protected characteristics to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" alongside race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin. It would also prohibit discrimination by public or private entities in state-funded programs based on a broader range of characteristics, including age, and require the attorney general's office to adopt regulations for enforcement. Lastly, the act would be titled the "Statewide Nondiscrimination Act."

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-110.01, 41-1402, 41-1441, 41-1442, 41-1444, 41-1461, 41-1463, 41-1464, 41-1481, 41-1491, 41-1491.05, 41-1491.14, 41-1491.15, 41-1491.16, 41-1491.17, 41-1491.20, 41-1491.21, 41-1492.13, 38-611, 41-1465, 12-120.21, 12-120.22, 12-120.24, 41-1491.22, 101-336, 110-325, 41-1491.25