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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: HHS DP 12-0-0-0 | Third Read 45-5-9-0Senate: PS DPA 6-0-1-0 | Third Read 23-4-3-0 Final Read: 41-15-4-0 | Chapter: 105 |
HB 2673: mental illness; prisoners; diagnosis; treatment.
NOW: study committee; inmate mental health
Sponsor: Representative Hernandez C, LD 21
Signed by the Governor
Overview
Establishes a 13-member Study Committee on Inmate Mental Health Services (Study Committee) and outlines membership, duties, and reporting requirements.
History
Individuals who are taken into custody or confined in a county jail or state correctional facility are entitled to necessary medical care, including mental health care, during incarceration. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) is responsible for providing medical and health services to prisoners committed to its custody, and correctional authorities must ensure access to evaluation and treatment for inmates with medical or mental health needs while incarcerated (A.R.S. §§ 31-201.01, 31-226).
Seriously mentally ill means persons who, as a result of a mental disorder, exhibit emotional or behavioral functioning that is so impaired as to interfere substantially with their capacity to remain in the community without supportive treatment or services of a long-term or indefinite duration. In these persons mental disability is severe and persistent, resulting in a long-term limitation of their functional capacities for primary activities of daily living such as interpersonal relationships, homemaking, self-care, employment and recreation (A.R.S. § 36-550).
Provisions
1. Creates the 13-member Study Committee and outlines membership, as follows:
a. two members of the House of Representatives who are from different political parties and who are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
b. two members of the Senate who are from different political parties and who are appointed by the President of the Senate;
c. the Director of the State Department of Corrections or the Director's designee;
d. the Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System administration or the Director's designee; and
e. seven members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as outlined. (Sec. 1)
2. Specifies that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate must each designate one member to serve as Co-Chairperson of the Study Committee. (Sec. 1)
3. Requires the Study Committee to meet at least once each year at a date and time determined by the Study Committee. (Sec. 1)
4. Specifies that members of the Study Committee are not eligible for compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses. (Sec. 1)
5. Requires the Study Committee to:
a. examine ways to improve the screening process for individuals who are arrested and taken to jail or prison;
b. study and recommend ways to improve access to adequate mental health screenings for individuals who are in jail or prison; and
c. study and address ways to improve screenings for mental health risks, including dangers to the individual and others, for individuals who are in jail or prison. (Sec. 1)
6. Requires the Study Committee, by January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2028, to submit a report regarding the Study Committee's activities and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and provide a hard copy of this report to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 1)
7. Repeals the Study Committee on January 1, 2028. (Sec. 1)
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Initials AG/LK HB 2673
6/1/2026 Page 0 Signed by the Governor
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