mammography results; notice; repeal

Plain English Breakdown

The official source confirms the repeal of state-level notices for specific density levels but does not detail how facilities will handle patient questions post-repeal.

SB1318: Removing State Rules for Breast Density Notices

This law removes the Arizona state rule that required doctors to give patients a specific written notice if their mammogram showed heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breast tissue.

What This Bill Does

• Removes the requirement for health care institutions and facilities to send a special notice about dense breasts to patients identified as having heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts.
• Repeals section 36-415 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, which previously set this rule.

Who It Names or Affects

• Health care institutions and facilities in Arizona that perform mammograms.
• Patients who receive mammography examinations at these facilities and are identified as having heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts.

Terms To Know

Mammography

An X-ray test used to check for breast cancer or other problems with the breasts.

Dense Breast Tissue

Breast tissue that has relatively high amounts of fibrous and glandular tissue and relatively low amounts of fatty tissue, which can make it harder to see tumors on an X-ray.

Repeal

To officially cancel or remove a law so it is no longer in effect.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not change federal rules that still require breast density reporting.
• The text states the law becomes effective on the general effective date but does not specify an exact calendar date for this session's laws.

Official Summary Text

SB1318 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

Assigned to
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COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR
S.b. 1318

mammography results;
notice; repeal

Purpose

Repeals the requirement that health care institutions and facilities provide
specified notice to a patient identified as having extremely dense breasts.

Background

According to the National Cancer Institute, breast tissue is composed of
fibrous tissue, glandular tissue and fatty tissue. Dense breast tissue has relatively
high amounts of fibrous and glandular tissue and relatively low amounts of
fatty tissue. Mammography reports classify breast density into four levels: 1) almost
entirely fatty; 2) scattered fibroglandular tissue;

3) heterogeneously dense, which may obscure small masses; and 4) extremely
dense, which lowers the sensitivity of mammography (
NCI
)
.

Current statute requires a health care institution that performs
mammography examinations to provide a patient categorized as having
heterogeneously dense breasts or extremely dense breasts the following notice
in the mammography report:

Your mammogram indicates that you have dense breast tissue. Dense
breast tissue is common and is found in 50 per cent of women. However, dense
breast tissue can make it more difficult to detect cancers in the breast by
mammography and may also be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
This information is being provided to raise your awareness and to encourage you
to discuss with your health care providers your dense breast tissue and other
breast cancer risk factors. Together, you and your physician can decide if
additional screening options are right for you. A report of your results was
sent to your physician
(
A.R.S.
� 36-415
).

Effective September 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a
final rule updating the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act, which
established a federal mandate for breast density reporting with specified
language to be used in all mammography reports. These federal breast density
reporting requirements apply in addition to state statutory requirements. (
88
Fed. Reg. 14101 (Mar. 10, 2023)
).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact
to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.

Repeals the requirement that health care institutions and facilities provide
specified notice to a patient identified as having heterogeneously dense or extremely
dense breasts.

2.

Becomes
effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

February 9, 2026

MM/MS/hk

Current Bill Text

Chapter 0169 - 572R - S Ver of SB1318

Senate Engrossed

mammography results;
notice; repeal

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

CHAPTER 169

SENATE BILL 1318

AN
ACT

Repealing section 36-415, Arizona
Revised Statutes; relating to health care institutions.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.
Repeal

Section 36-415, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is repealed.

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR JUNE 19, 2026.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE JUNE 22, 2026.