Workers' compensation

7 items, most far-reaching first.

Affects specific groups 5

Professional firefighters who are hurt or killed while traveling directly to or from work as a firefighter are now considered on the job for workers' compensation eligibility, as long as they are not engaged in criminal activity.

WorkersState government employeesLocal governmentsInsurersWorkers' compensationEmployment HB2138In effect since September 12, 2026

To keep app-based gig workers classified as independent contractors, a platform's written contract no longer has to let both sides end it without cause; it may instead give that right to the worker alone, for contracts or addenda entered into on or after the law's effective date.

WorkersBusiness ownersEmploymentWorkers' compensation HB2310In effect since September 12, 2026 (and 1 more date)

When a work injury causes a worker's death, workers' compensation can now pay up to $10,000 for burial expenses, up from a $5,000 limit, while the rest of the death benefit rules stay the same apart from wording cleanup.

WorkersInsurersBusiness ownersWorkers' compensation SB1135In effect since September 12, 2026

Under workers' compensation, the surviving spouse of a first responder killed on the job will now get monthly death benefits until the spouse's own death, instead of losing them on remarriage, and spouses cut off for remarrying on or after January 1, 2000 can get future payments but no back pay.

WorkersInsurersWorkers' compensation SB1136Reaches back to remarriages on or after January 1, 2000; future payments only, no back pay (and 1 more date)

For workers' compensation policies issued to employers who report zero estimated exposure and no employees, applicants must sign a set attestation, and construction-services employers must give copies of the policy to those they contract with directly, for policies and certificates entered into or prepared on or after July 1, 2027.

Business ownersContractorsInsurersWorkers' compensationConstructionFraud SB1428In effect since September 12, 2026 (and 1 more date)

Mostly how government works 1

This law mostly updates titles and wording at the Industrial Commission of Arizona, but it also removes the commission's power to license private employment offices, renames its benefits ombudsman a resource officer with a wider role, places boiler and elevator oversight under separate divisions, and requires the commission to post a fee schedule online.

WorkersBusiness ownersWorkers' compensationEmployment SB1254In effect since September 12, 2026

No practical change 1

This law combines and alphabetizes the lists of cancers that are presumed to be job-related for workers' compensation for certain firefighters, fire investigators and peace officers, but the cancers covered and the conditions for the presumption stay the same.

WorkersWorkers' compensationTechnical cleanup SB1215Applies retroactively from and after June 30, 2021 (and 1 more date)