AZ HB2461

Extends the statute of limitations for civil actions in employment discrimination cases from one year to two years after a charge is filed with the division, with specific exclusions for time spent in court enforcement procedures.

Adds new provisions allowing recovery of punitive damages if a defendant engaged in unlawful employment practices with malice or reckless indifference to protected rights, except against the state or its agencies.

Establishes tiered caps on combined compensatory and punitive damages based on employer size: $50,000 for employers with 2-100 employees, $100,000 for 101-200 employees, $200,000 for 201-500 employees, and $300,000 for 500+ employees.

Prohibits punitive or compensatory damages in reasonable accommodation cases under disability discrimination if the employer demonstrates good faith efforts to identify and provide reasonable accommodations.

Allows jury trials when complaining parties seek punitive or compensatory damages, with jurors not informed of statutory damage caps.