HB2173 prohibits Arizona licensing and regulatory boards from asking applicants on license, permit, certificate, endorsement, or registration applications whether they have sought mental health assistance or received a mental health diagnosis or treatment. The bill applies both to health profession regulatory boards and to other state licensing authorities that issue credentials to individuals providing services, with a specific carveout excluding certain chapter 40 licensing entities and health profession boards from the nonhealth-profession definition. The measure is aimed at removing mental health history questions from professional licensure applications.
The bill does allow a narrower inquiry: licensing bodies may ask whether an applicant is currently subject to another state’s regulatory monitoring order for a health condition, including substance abuse, but the applicant does not have to disclose if that monitoring is part of a confidential program. The bill also defines “health profession regulatory board” to include the Department of Health Services when it regulates health professionals. It was approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor, becoming Chapter 25 of the 2025 session laws.
Impact
HB2173 amends Title 32 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding new prohibitions on mental health-related questions in professional licensing applications. It affects both health-related licensing boards and other occupational licensing authorities, limiting what information they may require from applicants and thereby changing application forms and board practices statewide. The bill does not eliminate all health-related screening, but it narrows the scope to current out-of-state monitoring orders and protects confidential program participation.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around the bill appears favorable, with strong support in both chambers and committee approval at each stage. The House Health & Human Services Committee advanced it 11-1, the House Rules Committee approved it unanimously, and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee also approved it unanimously. The House floor vote was more divided at 34-25, suggesting some substantive disagreement, but the Senate passed it unanimously 25-0, and the bill ultimately became law.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to have been whether licensing boards should be barred from asking about an applicant’s mental health history at all, versus preserving some ability to assess fitness or risk. Supporters likely viewed the bill as reducing stigma and removing a barrier to treatment for professionals, while opponents may have been concerned about limiting boards’ ability to protect the public or evaluate applicant suitability. The floor vote split in the House indicates the issue was more controversial there than in committee or in the Senate, though the final enactment shows the bill had enough bipartisan support to pass.