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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
Senate: HHS DP 7-0-0-0 | Third Read 25-2-3-0 |
SB 1814: substance use disorder treatment; committee
Sponsor: Senator Werner, LD 4
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Creates the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Standards and Oversight Study Committee (Study Committee) and outlines membership, duties and reporting requirements.
History
Substance use disorders are defined as patterns of substance use that cause damage to physical or mental health or lead to clinically significant functional impairment or distress. They are associated with a range of physical, mental, social and legal problems (National Institute of Health).
Current law requires the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System to establish services for addictive behavior, including alcohol abuse and drug abuse. The Department of Health Services is required to: 1) adopt rules establishing the standards for approval of alcohol and other drug screening, education and treatment facilities; 2) approve alcohol and other drug screening, education and treatment facilities; 3) adopt rules establishing the standards for referrals to alcohol and other drug screening, education and treatment facilities; 4) establish standardized screening assessment; and 5) establish reporting and record keeping requirements for alcohol and other drug screening, education and treatment facilities (A.R.S §§ 36-2001, 36-2006).
Provisions
1. Establishes the 18-member Study Committee and outlines membership. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires the Study Committee to meet at the call of the Co-chairpersons. (Sec. 1)
3. Specifies that members of the Study Committee are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible to receive reimbursement for travel expenses. (Sec. 1)
4. Requires the Study Committee to:
a. conduct a comprehensive research study to assess the availability, capacity and geographic distribution of licensed and unlicensed programs that offer substance use disorder specialty care in Arizona and evaluate the economic impact, effectiveness and value of implementing statewide minimum standards for evidence-based care;
b. identify gaps in access to and implementation of evidence-based biopsychosocial treatments, workforce capacity needs and resources necessary to support high-quality care delivery across urban and rural settings, including medically supported withdrawal services, medications for opioid use disorder, licensed clinical providers, care coordination and recovery supports;
c. review state laws, rules and oversight structures governing substance use disorder treatment programs to identify regulatory loopholes that allow unlicensed or nonstandard programs to operate without sufficient clinical oversight and processes that enable fraud, waste and abuse, and recommend statutory and administrative changes to close the gaps and align oversight systems;
d. establish minimum clinical quality standards, staff scope of practice expectations, safety and outcome reporting requirements and public transparency mechanisms to ensure accountability, protect patients and provide families and referring providers with clear information to support treatment decision-making; and
e. investigate funding needs, reimbursement structures and licensed workforce models required to implement these reforms, including strategies to build and sustain a professional clinical workforce capable of meeting statewide treatment demand and ensuring timely access to evidence-based care. (Sec. 1)
5. Directs the Study Committee, by December 31, 2027, to submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives regarding its activities, findings and recommendations, including proposed statutory and regulatory changes, funding considerations and implementation timelines. (Sec. 1)
6. Requires the Study Committee to provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 1)
7. Repeals the Study Committee on July 1, 2028. (Sec. 1)
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11. Initials AG/LK SB 1814
12. 3/2/2026 Page 0 Health & Human Services
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