If the state gets at least $5,000,000 in legislative appropriations or federal grants for childhood cancer and rare childhood disease research, a new commission appointed by the health services director will set criteria and review applications for research grants; otherwise, existing fund money goes to in-state nonprofit clinical trials, which no longer must be phase I trials.
Official title: childhood cancer research; commission
- September 12, 2026
- Only if at least $5,000,000 in legislative appropriations or federal grants is received for this research: Creation of the commission and the commission-based grant process
- August 1, 2027, then every August 1: Commission's annual report to legislative committees
What changes
BeforeThe childhood cancer and rare childhood disease research fund consisted of monies received under an existing state law (section 28-2442).
NowThe fund can also take in legislative appropriations, gifts, donations and federal grants.
BeforeThe director gave fund money to in-state nonprofit health care providers and research institutions doing phase I clinical trials on pediatric cancer or other rare pediatric diseases.
NowIf at least $5,000,000 in legislative appropriations or federal grants (or both) is received for this research, the director must use fund money for grants handled through a new childhood cancer and rare childhood disease research commission. The director may use up to 4% of that money for administrative costs, unless a federal grant contract says otherwise.
BeforeEligible trials had to be phase I clinical trials.
NowIf the $5,000,000 is not received, the director must give monies received under section 28-2442 to in-state nonprofit providers and research institutions doing clinical trials on pediatric cancer or rare pediatric diseases. The trials no longer have to be phase I.
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NowIf the $5,000,000 condition is met, the commission has at least 7 members appointed by the director: 1 childhood cancer survivor or caregiver, 1 rare childhood disease survivor or caregiver, 4 health professionals in pediatric cancer or rare childhood diseases, and 1 representative of a nationwide pediatric cancer advocacy nonprofit. Members serve 5-year terms, are not paid, but can get expenses reimbursed. Members must step aside from matters where they have a conflict of interest.
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NowThe commission must set criteria for clinical trials that qualify, oversee and review grant applications to help the director pick the most credible trials, and hold meetings open to the public with public testimony. The director awards the grants to in-state nonprofit providers and research institutions. The commission must report to legislative committees on grants and resulting research by August 1, 2027, and every August 1 after that.
Who it affects
- Childhood cancer and rare childhood disease survivors and caregivers
- Health professionals in pediatric cancer and rare childhood diseases
- In-state nonprofit health care providers and research institutions running pediatric clinical trials
- Arizona Department of Health Services and its director
- Legislative appropriations and health and human services committees
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- Whether any legislative appropriation or federal grant of at least $5,000,000 has been or will be provided
- What the monies received under section 28-2442 are or how much they bring in
- How many members make a quorum of the commission
- When commission members would first be appointed
- How often grants would be awarded or how large each grant would be
- What happens if the report is not submitted on time
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.