This bill proposes updates to Arizona Revised Statutes regarding employment practices related to medical products and religious exemptions. Under the new provisions, the current law requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees' sincerely held religious beliefs will be expanded to include any medical product, replacing the specific reference to the COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, the bill removes the stipulation that accommodations must not impose more than a de minimis cost on the employer's business.

The bill introduces several new requirements for employers, including prohibiting inquiries into the veracity of an employee's religious beliefs beyond federal law limits, and mandates that employers allow employees to request religious exemptions using a specified form. It also establishes confidentiality requirements for handling exemption requests and clarifies that "sincerely held religious beliefs" can include moral or ethical beliefs. Furthermore, it allows employees to file complaints with the attorney general regarding improper application or denial of religious exemptions, and outlines the attorney general's responsibilities in investigating these complaints and enforcing compliance, including the imposition of civil penalties for noncompliance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 23-206, 23-207