home; community-based services; mental illness.

HB 2980 establishes a new Arizona program providing home and community-based services (HCBS) for adults with serious mental illness who require intensive support to avoid institutional care. It directly affects individuals determined to be "seriously mentally ill" under state criteria (e.g., those needing complex medication management, safety monitoring, or structured community supports like assisted living), with eligibility based on clinical need (e.g., recent hospitalizations, homelessness, or medication risks) and income limits (under 300% of federal SSI rate, or using a qualified income trust). Key provisions require the state to request federal Medicaid approval by July 2027 to implement the program, which will cover services like medication administration, behavioral health day care, supervised living supports, and nonemergency transportation. The bill mandates stakeholder input from providers, families, and tribal nations during design and requires quarterly updates to legislators until implementation. This program aims to replace institutional placements with community-based care, pending federal approval.