SB 1710
Initials AG Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
Senate: HHS DPA 7-0-0-0 | 3
rd
Read 27-2-1-0
House: HHS DPA 9-0-0-0
SB 1710: state hospital; governing board; governance
Sponsor: Senator Gowan, LD 19
House Engrossed
Overview
Allows, for counties with a population of less than 500,000 people, a petition for court-ordered
treatment to be accompanied by the affidavits of one physician and either one physician assistant
or psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner and by the affidavit of the applicant for the
evaluation, if any.
History
A petition for court-ordered treatment must allege:
1) that the patient is in need of a period of treatment because the patient, as a result of mental
disorder, is a danger to self or to others or has a persistent or acute disability or a grave
disability;
2) the treatment alternatives that are appropriate or available; and
3) that the patient is unwilling to accept or incapable of accepting treatment voluntarily.
Current law requires a petition for court-ordered treatment to be accompanied by the affidavits of
two physicians who participated in the evaluation and by the affidavit of the applicant for the
evaluation, if any. The physicians affidavits must describe in detail the behavior that indicates the
person, as a result of mental disorder, is a danger to self or to others, has a persistent or acute
disability or a grave disability and be based on their observations of the patient and study of
information about the patient. It must also include any of the results of the physical examination
of the patient if relevant to their psychiatric condition. A summary of the facts that support the
allegations of the petition must be included as well (A.R.S ยง 36-533).
Provisions
1. Specifies that for counties with a population of less than 500,000 people, a petition for court-
ordered treatment may be accompanied by the affidavits of one physician and either one
physician assistant who is experienced in psychiatric matters or a psychiatric and mental
health nurse practitioner whose conducted an independent evaluation and by the affidavit of
the applicant for the evaluation, if any. (Sec. 1)
2. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2)