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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
state
hospital; governing board
(NOW: state hospital; bed availability)
Purpose
Requires the Arizona State Hospital (ASH) to admit patients based on clinical need and prohibits ASH from limiting admission based on a patient’s county of residence.
Background
ASH is a 260-bed facility, operated and regulated by the Department of Health Services (DHS), that provides long-term inpatient psychiatric care to individuals with mental illnesses, personality disorders or emotional conditions who are admitted civil commitment proceedings or other court orders. Treatment at ASH is considered the highest and most restrictive level of mental health care in Arizona. Patients are admitted as a result of an inability to be treated in a community facility or due to the patients' legal status (DHS).
ASH applies a 55-bed limitation to Maricopa County civil hospital admissions under the Arnold v. Sarn Exit Stipulation. The remaining civil hospital beds are allocated to patients from other counties and tribal communities (DHS)
If there is a cost associated with removing any limit on patient admission to ASH, there may be a fiscal impact to the state General Fund.
Provisions
1. Requires ASH to admit patients based on clinical need for treatment.
2. Prohibits ASH from limiting admission based on a patient's county of residence.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Adopted the strike everything amendment.
2. Removes the prohibition on admission to ASH for non-U.S. citizens.
Senate Action
HHS 2/19/25 DPA/SE 5-2-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 26, 2026
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