ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

Senate: HHS DPA 5-3-0-0 | 3rd Read 16-14-0-0

House: HHS DP 7-1-0-1 | APPROP DPA 8-5-0-0 | 3rd Read 60-0-0-0

Final Vote: 29-0-1-0

SB 1716: Arizona state hospital; admission; governance

Sponsor: Senator Barto, LD 15

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Outlines information that must be included in the Arizona State Hospital (ASH) financial and programmatic report. Establishes the Joint Legislative Psychiatric Hospital Review Council (Council).

History

ASH is under the charge and control of the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) Director and maintained for the care and treatment of people with mental disorders and people with other personality disorders or emotional conditions who will benefit from care and treatment (A.R.S. § 36-202). Additionally, ASH provides long-term inpatient psychiatric care to Arizonans with mental illnesses who are under court order for treatment. ASH operates programs within a 260-bed funded facility (ASH).

The Director must annually submit to the Governor and Legislature a financial and programmatic report on ASH for the preceding fiscal year. The report must contain all ASH revenues and expenditures, specific identification of administrative costs, and the number of people served at ASH (A.R.S. § 36-217).

Provisions☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

1.   Adds the following information to be included in the financial and programmatic report on ASH:

a)   information DHS deems relevant;

b)   certain patient information;

c)   information on admission by civil commitment; and

d)   updates on the establishment of a psychiatric center for excellence. (Sec. 1)

2.   Specifies the release of a patient's individually identifiable health information is not required. (Sec. 1)

3.   Requires DHS, by October 1, 2021 and in coordination with the Arizona Department of Administration, to issue a request for information for a surveillance system at ASH that has audio and visual capability and adequate storage. (Sec. 2)

4.   Requires storage requirements to be consistent with other hospitals serving similar populations. (Sec. 2)

5.   Allows the request for information to include the requirements for the civil and forensic units separately. (Sec. 2)

6.   Establishes the Council and outlines membership and compensation eligibility. (Sec. 3)

7.   Mandates the Council to review, analyze and make certain recommendations. (Sec. 3)

8.   Stipulates the Council must invite subject matter experts to advise the Council. (Sec. 3)

9.   Contains a reporting requirement for the Council. (Sec. 3)

10.  Repeals the Council on September 1, 2023. (Sec. 3)

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13.  ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

14.                    SB 1716

15.  Initials EB/IR         Page 0 Transmitted

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17.  ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------