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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
REVISED
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)
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimates that SB 1813 would increase state General Fund costs at ASH but that the magnitude of the costs will depend on the potential demand for new beds and how S.B. 1813 is interpreted relative to the 55-bed limitation for Maricopa County residents (JLBC fiscal note).
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.
Revisions
· Updates the fiscal impact statement.
Senate Action
HHS 2/19/25 DPA/SE 5-2-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 11, 2026
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