By Daniel Stefanski |

The Arizona Legislature is working to strengthen parental rights in the state.

Earlier this month, the State House of Representatives passed HB 2183, which “entitles parents with the right to receive from a healthcare entity equivalent access to any electronic portal or other healthcare delivery platform for their minor child,” according to the overview from the chamber. The bill, which was sponsored by Representative Julie Willoughby, received bipartisan support on the floor, garnering a vote of 32-25 (with three seats vacant).

In a statement after the House vote, Representative Willoughby said, “As healthcare delivery evolves, patients have increasingly varied avenues to access and communicate with healthcare providers. Yet, I’ve heard from parents who have been denied the ability to access their child’s medical records through an online patient portal. These portals are essential for parents to manage the care of their children, enabling them to contact pediatricians and specialists, schedule appointments, and refill prescriptions.”

Willoughby added, “Arizona’s parents’ bill of rights safeguards parents’ ability to make healthcare decisions for their minor children. My bill expands upon this protection, guaranteeing parents’ equal access to healthcare delivery platforms like online medical portals to care for their minor children.”

Before arriving on the floor for a vote from the whole chamber, HB 2183 was approved by the House Committee on Health and Human Services in January, with a partisan 6-4 vote.

HB 2183 was co-sponsored by Representatives Biasiucci, Bliss, Carter, Cook, Dunn, Gillette, Kolodin, Nguyen, Peña, and Speaker Toma.

On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, Christine Accurso and a representative from the Center for Arizona Policy signed in support of the proposal. Representatives from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, American Civil Liberties Union of AZ, AZ Public Health Association, Children’s Action Alliance, Arizona Center for Women’s Advancement, NARAL Pro-choice America, National Council of Jewish Women Arizona, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Stonewall Democrats of Arizona, and Human Rights Campaign registered their opposition to the bill. Additionally, representatives from the Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Health System Alliance of Arizona noted their organization’s neutrality on the legislation.

The bill now awaits action in the Arizona Senate.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.