SB 1162: health care institutions; licensing; complaints - Arizona

Senate Engrossed Version (03/02/2026) → Chaptered Version · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized into law (Chapter 149) and expanded its scope by adding a new Article 4.1 specifically for Behavioral Health Technicians. This addition defines who qualifies as a technician, sets minimum training and age requirements, and lists specific duties they are authorized to perform under supervision. The original section was also updated to mandate a review of overlapping rules between health licensing and cost containment systems by December 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general health care institution licensing to explicitly include a new regulatory framework for Behavioral Health Technicians, defining their qualifications, duties, and limitations.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'behavioral health technician' specifying they must be employed by a licensed facility or hospital and work under the supervision of a licensed professional or registered nurse.

REQUIREMENT

Established new statutory requirements for technicians, including being at least 18 years old, having a high school diploma, passing background checks, and completing specific training on crisis response and trauma-informed care.

Defined specific duties for technicians, such as implementing treatment plans, providing supportive counseling, assisting with medication administration, and monitoring vital signs, while explicitly prohibiting them from diagnosing conditions or prescribing medication.

TIMELINE

Updated the deadline for the required review of overlapping rules between the health department and the cost containment system to December 31, 2026, and added a specific requirement to review rules regarding behavioral health technicians.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document status from 'Senate Engrossed' to 'Chaptered Version' and updated the title to reflect that the bill has been enacted into law.

House Engrossed Version (04/28/2026) → Senate Engrossed Version (03/02/2026) · 4 edits · Jun 9, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a House version to a Senate version, which involved removing a large section dedicated to defining and regulating 'behavioral health technicians.' The Senate version also removed the requirement for the Department to create Article 4.1, effectively eliminating the proposed new job role and its associated duties, qualifications, and legal protections. Minor text formatting changes were made throughout the document.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly reduced; the Senate version removes the creation of a new regulatory article for behavioral health technicians, meaning the proposed new workforce role and its specific legal framework are no longer included in this legislation.

SCOPE

Removed the entire section establishing 'behavioral health technicians' as a new regulated profession, including definitions, qualifications, duties, and limitations.

REQUIREMENT

Deleted the mandate for the Department to review rules regarding behavioral health technicians to ensure alignment with the removed article.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document title from 'House Engrossed' to 'Senate Engrossed' and adjusted the summary description of the bill's purpose.

Added a non-breaking space character before the word 'health' in the description of the bill's subject matter.

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version (04/28/2026) · 7 edits · Jun 9, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a new article specifically governing behavioral health technicians, expanding its scope beyond general licensing oversight. The changes introduce detailed definitions, qualification standards, and a comprehensive list of authorized duties for these technicians, while also establishing a formal review process to eliminate regulatory duplication between the department and the health care cost containment system.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general health care institution licensing to include specific regulations for behavioral health technicians and a new mandate for inter-agency coordination reviews.

SCOPE

Added a new Article 4.1 to the Arizona Revised Statutes dedicated exclusively to behavioral health technicians.

DEFINITION

Defined 'behavioral health technician' as an individual employed by a behavioral health facility or hospital providing services under the supervision of a licensed professional or registered nurse.

REQUIREMENT

Established specific qualifications including age (18+), high school diploma, background checks, and mandatory training in crisis response, trauma-informed care, and ethics.

Outlined 12 specific duties for behavioral health technicians, such as implementing treatment plans, providing supportive counseling, assisting with medication administration, and monitoring vital signs.

Required a specific review of rules regarding behavioral health technicians by December 31, 2026, to ensure alignment with the new article.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a statutory requirement for the department and the health care cost containment system to coordinate and review their monitoring functions to identify and eliminate duplicative efforts.

TIMELINE

Mandated the submission of a written report on regulatory duplication findings by December 31, 2026, and every four years thereafter.

health care institutions; licensing; complaints

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