House Engrossed

 

authorized transporters

(now:  transportation; mental health; patients)

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

 

 

 

HOUSE BILL 2404

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

 

Amending title 36, chapter 5, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 36-503.05; relating to mental health services.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)


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

Section 1. Title 36, chapter 5, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 36-503.05, to read:

START_STATUTE36-503.05. Mental health patients; proposed patients; transportation; use of peace officers prohibited; exceptions

A. Beginning July 1, 2027, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, A peace officer may not conduct the transport of a person from a hospital emergency department or a locked unit of a behavioral health facility to another health care institution, an evaluation agency or a mental health treatment agency, unless one of the following applies:

1. The person is incarcerated.

2. A court, a person, an evaluation agency or a mental health treatment agency has reasonable grounds to believe that the patient or proposed patient cannot be safely apprehended without the assistance of a peace officer.

3. Any person requests a peace officer by dialing 911 or a similar designated telephone number for emergency calls and needs emergency assistance.

B. Except as provided in subsection A of this section, an authorized transporter shall conduct any apprehension and transport of a patient or proposed patient. END_STATUTE