Arizona May Require Hospitals To Check Citizenship

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona lawmakers are trying to widen the state's illegal immigration crackdown with a proposal to require hospitals to confirm whether patients are in the country legally.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says it knows of no other states considering similar bills.

The proposal being heard late Monday by the Arizona Senate's judiciary committee would require hospitals to contact immigration authorities if a patient is an illegal immigrant.

Arizona lawmakers passed a bill last year that required local police, while enforcing other laws, to question the immigration status of those they suspect are in the country illegally.

A judge put that provision on hold.