Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
DAY #18 OF SESSION I - 1170 BILLS INTRODUCED; 85 RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED
01/30/2025Disclaimer: Since the legislature acts daily, each bill's status listed herein could change daily. This tracking document is merely meant to advise our members of a general overview of some of the bills that have been introduced and the status of the bill as of the date listed below. The bill summaries listed herein may or may not include all aspects of the proposed legislation and subsequent amendments and do not necessarily reflect an interpretation of the bills or the merits of the same.
SB1125: Psychologists; prescribing authorityOutlines the investigative responsibilities of the Board of Psychologist Examiners (Board.) Permits a physician to enter into a “collaborative prescription agreement” (defined) with a “prescribing psychologist” (defined) for a total of four collaborative prescription agreements, subject to the development of rules by the Board. Defines the process of a psychologist to apply for a prescribing license, including the eligibility criteria needed to be met to attain the license and the duties and responsibilities of the Board in the process. Outlines the guidelines for a collaborative prescription agreement, including how to set one up, rules that govern the agreement and termination processes. Defines the requirements that a prescription written by a prescribing psychologist must meet, including restrictions and prohibitions, required data capture and reporting. Outlines continuing education requirements. Defines the Board’s oversight capacity pertaining to processing, investigating, drawing conclusions about, making recommendations and meting discipline because of, complaints. Provides exemptions from rules making as defined by state law.
Sponsor: Sen. Shope (R)Status: Chmbr1: Await Cmte Vote (Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency - 01/23/2025 - 2nd Read)Introduced Version of Bill (Click link to see PDF of Bill) AHAC Letter of Opposition Here


HB2173: Mental health inquiry; prohibitionProhibits a “health professional regulatory board” or “licensing authority” (defined) from including any question on an application for a license, permit, certificate, or endorsement that requests information about weather an applicant has sought mental health assistance or received a mental health diagnosis or treatment. Permits a health profession regulatory board or licensing authority to ask if an applicant is currently under if regulatory entity’s order In another state for the monitoring of a health condition, including substance abuse. Stipulates that an applicant is not required to respond if the monitoring is part of a confidential program. Sponsor: Rep. Willoughby (R)¬Status: Chmbr1: Await Cmte Vote (House Health & Human Services - 01/22/2025 - 2nd Read)Introduced Version of Bill (Click link to access PDF of Bill)

HB2332: Postpartum depression; treatment; insurersRequires a Hospital Service Corporation, Medical Service Corporation, Health Care Services Organization, Disability Insurer, Group or Blanket Disability Insurer, or Health Care Insurer that issues, amends, delivers, or renews a subscription contract, evidence of coverage, policy or health plan on or after January 1, 2026, to cover postpartum depression screening, pursuant to state law, and additional reimbursement costs to adequately compensate a health care professional for the screening. Prohibits a healthcare insurer, healthcare plan, pharmacy benefit manager, or utilization review agent from requiring or imposing a step therapy protocol for a drug that is approved by the United states Food and Drug Administration to treat postpartum depression. Requires the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to develop written educational materials for healthcare professionals and patients covering maternal mental health conditions and lists the topics that shall be covered in the materials. Requires ADHS to make the written educational materials available on their website, and to make available or distribute the materials in physical form on request. Requires healthcare institutions and professionals who render postnatal care or pediatric infant care to provide each departing new parent and other family members, as appropriate, with written materials and information covering postpartum depression, symptoms and treatment. Requires a health professional who believes, based on postpartum depression screenings, that a patient is suffering from postpartum depression, to provide appropriate referrals and to discuss symptoms and treatment options available to the patient. (More.) Sponsor: Rep. Willoughby (R)Status: Chmbr1: Await Cmte Vote (House Health & Human Services - 01/22/2025 - 2nd Read)
Introduced Version of Bill (Click link to access PDF of Bill) HB2359: Conversion therapy; funding; prohibitions; minorsDeclares it unprofessional for a health provider to provide “conversion therapy” (defined) to a person under the age of 18. Exempts a clergy member or religious counselor who is acting substantially in a pastoral or religious capacity and not in the capacity of a “health care professional” (defined) and a parent or grandparent who is a health care professional but who is acting substantially in the capacity of a parent or grandparent and not in the capacity of a health care professional. Prohibits the use of state monies for the purpose of conducting conversion therapy, health benefits coverage for conversion therapy or a grant or contract with any entity that conducts or provides conversion therapy to a patient who is under the age of 18. Prohibits the use of federal monies for the purpose of conducting, facilitating or reimbursing conversion therapy, or providing a grant to or contract with any entity that conducts or provides conversion therapy to a patient or client who is under the age of 18. Severability clause. Sponsor: Rep. Contreras (D)Status: Chmbr1: Await Cmte Vote (House Health & Human Services – 1/22/2025 – 2nd Read)Introduced Version of Bill (Click link to access PDF of Bill)

HB2491: ALTCS eligibility; psychiatric conditionsIncludes a psychiatric condition as one of the criteria for a person to be eligible for institutional services or home and community based services. Clarifies that a psychiatric condition by itself is enough for a person to be eligible as well as if it is combined with other medical or psychiatric conditions.
Sponsor: Rep. Hernandez (D)Status: Chmbr1: Await 1st ReadIntroduced Version of Bill (Click link to access PDF of Bill)
 HB2492: Guardianship; court appointments; care placementPermits the court, on the filing of a petition or on the courts own motion, to appoint a physician, psychologist, or registered nurse to perform an independent evaluation of the alleged incapacitated persons capacity, if that person does not have an established relationship with any of the medical professionals listed above. Permits the court to order the alleged incapacitated person, or the petitioner, to pay the cost of the independent evaluation if the petition is denied, and, if the court determines that the alleged incapacitated person or the petitioner are not able to pay the cost of the independent evaluation, to order the county that has jurisdiction over the guardianship petition to pay reasonable fees and costs pursuant to state law. Permits an official guardian of an incapacitated person to provide consent or approval so it may be necessary for the ward to receive treatment in a community residential treatment program, pursuant to state law, in home individual and family support prevention services as prescribed pursuant to state law, or medication management and observation services.
Sponsor: Rep. Hernandez (D)Status: Chmbr1: Await 1st ReadIntroduced Version of Bill (Click link to access PDF of Bill)

SB1044: Secure behavioral health facilitiesStipulates that patients committed pursuant to state law covering court ordered behavioral health treatment may not be treated in a facility that treats patients committed pursuant to state law covering dangerous and incompetent defendants.
Sponsor: Sen. Miranda (D)Status: Chmbr1: Await Cmte Vote (Senate Health and Human Services – 01/15/2025 – 2nd Read)Introduced Version of Bill (Click link to access PDF of Bill)
SB1045: Secure behavioral health facilities; appropriationsAppropriates $25,000,000 from the Arizona State General Fund in FY 2025-2026 to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Administration (AHCCCSA) for the support and construction of secure behavioral health residential facilities pursuant to state law. Defines the roles of the behavioral health residential facilities and those who are to be treated at these facilities. Defines the location of three facilities and stipulates that up to $5,000,000 be allocated to each facility, prioritizing facilities that could open within 10 months after the effective date of this legislation. Defined reporting requirements including if the administration does not issue a request for proposals by January 1, 2026. Appropriates $10,000,000 from the Arizona State General Fund and $18,768,700 from the Medicaid Expenditure Authority in FY 2025-2026 to the AHCCCSA for an ongoing behavioral health provider rate increase. Exempts these appropriations from lapsing appropriations provisions.
Sponsor: Sen. Miranda (D)Status: Chmbr1: Await Cmte Vote (Senate Health and Human Services – 01/15/2025 – 2nd Read)Introduced Version of Bill (Click link to access PDF of Bill)
SB1046: Mental illness; prisoners; diagnosis; treatmentRequires a sheriff or the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADOC) to cause a person to be examined by a “licensed physician” (defined) when that individual is confined in the county jail or a state correctional facility, under arrest or conviction, and exhibits symptoms of a mental disorder. Requires the sheriff to file a petition for evaluation if after that examination the licensed physician concludes the individual is suffering from a mental disorder, and as a result, poses a danger to self and others, or is persistently or acutely disabled, or gravely disabled. Stipulates that any evaluation proceedings are separate from the criminal charges against the individual. Requires the sheriff to transport the individual to an appropriate evaluation agency if the petition for evaluation is granted. Requires all individuals admitted to the county jail to be screened for mental illness. Defines the treatment regimen, including medication, for an incarcerated individual who is determined to be mentally ill. Requires ADOC to assess each incoming incarcerated individual for health issues and mental illness and provides a list of criteria ADOC must follow. Requires ADOC to develop a treatment plan for any incarcerated individual deemed to need medical treatment. Defines timelines associated with implementing the evaluations at the county and state levels, criteria for the location in which any evaluations occur, and the professional credentials of any medical or behavioral health professional that conducts the physical or mental health evaluations, as well as required document sharing for ADOC incarcerated individuals.
Sponsor: Sen. Miranda (D)Status: Chmbr1: Await Cmte Vote (Senate Public Safety – 01/15/2025 – 2nd Read)Introduced Version of Bill (Click link to access PDF of Bill)

SB1210: Appropriation; dementia awarenessAppropriates $750,000 from the Arizona State General Fund in FY 2025-2026 to the Arizona Department of Health Services to distribute to a nonprofit organization to implement a public education campaign to increase Alzheimer’s disease and dementia awareness in rural and underserved areas of Arizona. Defines the criteria to be eligible to receive funds. Establishes mandatory reporting requirements and the required distribution list.
Sponsor: Sen. Dunn (R)Status: Chmbr1: Await Cmte Vote (Senate Appropriations – 01/23/2025 – 1st Read)Introduced Version of Bill (Click link to access PDF of Bill)

SB1257: Impaired persons; court-ordered stabilizationPermits an “admitting officer” (defined), after examining or evaluating a proposed patient, if they determine that the patient is an “impaired person” (defined), as defined by state law, to file a petition for a court ordered stabilization, pursuant to state law. Stipulates that an impaired person who is involuntarily admitted for a stabilization period possesses all the civil and legal rights enumerated in the Arizona State Constitution. Requires that a petition for a court ordered stabilization define the time limits of the stabilization. Prohibits filing a petition for a court ordered stabilization solely as a method of detainment. Outlines the process the court must go through to either approve or deny a request for a court ordered stabilization. Requires that Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) employees offer treatment to the impaired person daily. Requires that an impaired person's family members or guardian, if applicable, be allowed to participate in their care and treatment, when appropriate. Outlines the rules in which an impaired person undergoing stabilization treatment may be administered seclusion, mechanical, or pharmacological restraints. Limits a court ordered stabilization period to five calendar days after the date the impaired person was involuntarily admitted. Requires the County Attorney to represent any physician or admissions officer when they file a petition for a court ordered stabilization. Prohibits the impaired person from being charged for services provided under this legislation and stipulates that proceedings and services provided under this legislation be charged to the AHDS, or a third party payor.
Sponsor: Sen. Leach (R)Status: Chmbr1: Await 1st ReadIntroduced Version of Bill (Click link to access PDF of Bill)