Healthcare (Mental Health)

passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1114: appropriation; behavioral health patient brokering

SB 1114 appropriates $1,000,000 from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. The funds are specifically designated for investigations into "behavioral health patient brokering," an unethical practice where individuals or entities refer patients to treatment facilities for financial gain. This bill directly affects Maricopa County (which includes Phoenix) by providing resources to investigate these practices, without creating new regulations or altering existing laws. The appropriation is a one-time funding measure focused solely on enabling law enforcement investigations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M from state general fund for behavioral health investigations, directly funding a public service within budget allocation90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds investigation into unethical behavioral health patient brokering, protecting patient rights and mental health service integrity within healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Mental Health

Track

in committee · Arizona · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 1451: appropriation; behavioral health provider rates

SB 1451 allocates $60 million in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates by 10% for inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services provided to low-income Arizonans. This directly benefits behavioral health providers (like clinics and therapists) who serve Medicaid patients by ensuring they receive higher payments for their services. The bill requires that health plans pass the full rate increase to providers and prohibits them from offsetting it using existing higher rates. Funds can only be used for these specific behavioral health provider rate increases and cannot be redirected to administrative costs or other programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $60M in state budget for Medicaid behavioral health provider rate increases, directly funding public services through fiscal appropriation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $60M to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates by 10% for behavioral health services, directly funding mental health care access for low-income Arizonans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid Mental Health

Track

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2831: school safety program; alternative proposals

HB 2831 establishes Arizona's School Safety Program within the Department of Education to fund school safety initiatives. It directly affects public school districts and charter schools, which can apply for up to three years of funding to cover costs for school resource officers, counselors, social workers, safety technology, training, or campus infrastructure improvements. Schools must submit detailed proposals outlining safety needs, plans for collaboration with law enforcement or mental health resources, and evaluation methods. If a school cannot place requested personnel, it may instead apply for an "alternative proposal" to fund safety technology, training, or building upgrades like secured entrances. The program requires annual spending plan updates and verification visits by the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state funding for school safety programs, directly allocating budget resources to public safety initiatives under government spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funds for school safety initiatives including counselors, resource officers, and infrastructure improvements, directly advancing school environment and safety within education funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds counselors/social workers (mental health services) under school safety program, directly supporting mental health care in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Safety Student Health Mental Health

Track

passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1116: AHCCCS; claims review; behavioral health

SB 1116 requires that appeals for behavioral health claims under Arizona's Medicaid program (AHCCCS) subject to a capped fee-for-service payment schedule must be reviewed by an individual with relevant clinical experience. This applies specifically to disputes over payments for behavioral health services where providers are paid under a fixed, capped rate system. The bill directly affects behavioral health providers and patients involved in payment appeals within AHCCCS. It mandates clinical expertise in the review process rather than non-clinical review, aiming to improve the accuracy of payment decisions for these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates clinical expertise in AHCCCS behavioral health appeals, ensuring fair payment disputes and protecting patient access to mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

Track

introduced · Arizona · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2646: children's bill of rights

HB 2646 establishes three fundamental rights for Arizona children: the right to maintain relationships with parents (including visitation during parental incarceration), access to confidential health care services (such as contraception, STI treatment, and mental health care without parental consent), and enrollment in public schools with in-person instruction. The bill requires any law affecting these rights to prioritize the child's best interest and be narrowly tailored to a compelling government interest. It specifically allows children to consent to certain health services independently and overrides parental direction regarding public school enrollment. The law applies directly to Arizona children and their parents or legal guardians.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses parental visitation during incarceration (corrections aspect) and prioritizes child's best interest, aligning with family-centered criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees in-person school enrollment access, protecting educational access for students per bill's core provisions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly grants minors confidential access to mental health care and other health services without parental consent, protecting patient rights and improving access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Women's Health

Track

signed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 2265: courts; fees; assessments

HB 2265 prevents courts in Arizona from charging indigent defendants (low-income individuals) fees or requiring repayment for public defender services. It specifically bans administrative assessments of up to $25 and prohibits courts from ordering repayment for legal costs, including in juvenile or mental health proceedings. The bill also establishes new court filing fees for a "fair jury improvement fund" (excluding criminal trial filings), with fees collected to supplement, not replace, existing county funding for public defense. These changes directly affect individuals qualifying for court-appointed counsel under Arizona law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes court fees for indigent defendants in criminal cases, reducing financial barriers and promoting fairness. Aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting defendant rights and reducing recidivism risks.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans fees/repayment for public defenders in mental health proceedings, improving access to mental health legal services for low-income individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Mental Health

passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1112: mental health; hearings; acquaintance witnesses

SB 1112 amends Arizona law (Section 36-539) to change requirements for mental health hearings where a court may order treatment. It directly affects patients in mental health evaluation proceedings by requiring testimony from at least one non-professional witness who knew the patient personally before the evaluation application, limited to observed facts (not expert opinions). The bill specifies that such witnesses must have observed the patient during the alleged mental disorder period but were not formal participants in the evaluation. Courts may waive this witness requirement if clear and convincing evidence of the need for treatment is provided through other testimony or evidence.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareModifies mental health hearing procedures to require personal witness observations, enhancing patient context in treatment decisions and aligning with patient rights protection in mental health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

introduced · Arizona · House Feb 16, 2026

HB 2250: prior authorizations; habilitative services

HB 2250 requires health insurers in Arizona to honor prior authorizations for covered services granted by a previous insurer for at least 90 days when an enrollee switches health plans. This directly affects patients transitioning between insurance plans and their healthcare providers, ensuring continuity of approved treatments like habilitative services (e.g., physical therapy or mental health care) without immediate denial. The key mechanism mandates that insurers must accept prior authorizations from the previous insurer if the service is covered under the new plan and documentation is provided. This policy change prevents sudden coverage interruptions during plan changes, focusing on practical implementation rather than new benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures continuity of habilitative services during insurance plan changes, preventing denial of care and improving patient access to approved treatments like mental health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

Track

in committee · Arizona · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 2593: appropriation; psychiatry access lines

HB 2593 allocates $1.5 million from Arizona's state general fund for the University of Arizona to operate perinatal and pediatric psychiatry access lines during fiscal year 2026-2027. This funding directly supports the University of Arizona's program providing mental health support for pregnant individuals, new mothers, and children. The bill establishes a dedicated funding stream to cover direct operational costs of these specialized access lines. The appropriation is exempt from standard budget lapse rules, ensuring the funds remain available for the intended purpose.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.5M from state general fund for mental health access lines, funding essential public service per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $1.5M for perinatal/pediatric psychiatry access lines, directly funding mental health services for vulnerable groups under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Children's Health Mental Health

Track

signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2673: mental illness; prisoners; diagnosis; treatment.

HB 2673 requires Arizona county sheriffs and state correctional facilities to address mental health needs of incarcerated individuals. It mandates that prisoners showing symptoms of mental illness receive a licensed physician examination within 24 hours, ensures continuity of prescribed medications and treatments upon jail entry, and requires screening for prior mental illness diagnoses. For state facilities, it creates a process where prisoners displaying severe mental health symptoms may be transferred to specialized treatment facilities after a court hearing with appointed legal representation. The bill also requires quarterly condition reports from treatment facilities to correctional authorities and courts. This applies directly to prisoners in county jails (for misdemeanor cases) and state correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health assessments, treatment continuity, and screening for incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities, directly advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health assessments, treatment continuity, and screenings for incarcerated individuals, directly advancing mental health care access in correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Mental Health