AZ HB2549

Amends Title 12, Chapter 6, Article 12 of Arizona Revised Statutes by adding section 12-721 regarding civil actions for pandemic-related injury claims.

Requires courts to conduct a "probable validity hearing" for any civil action claiming a party is liable for damages based on contracting an illness that is the subject of a public health pandemic.

Mandates the probable validity hearing be bifurcated from and occur in a separate phase before the trial on the merits, at the earliest time possible.

Places the burden of proof on the plaintiff to demonstrate sufficient evidence that the alleged injury exists and that the defendant is likely the cause of the injury.

Allows the court to proceed to trial on the merits only upon a finding of probable validity.