Assigned to MAPS FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
REVISED
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2103
traumatic event counseling; constables
(NOW: constables; traumatic event counseling)
Purpose
Adds constables and deputy constables to the definition of peace officers for the purpose
of qualifying for traumatic event counseling.
Background
Current statute requires the state or a political subdivision of Arizona to establish a program
that provides up to 12 visits of licensed counseling to peace officers, firefighters and 911
dispatchers who are exposed to any one of the following events while in the course of duty, which
may be provided through telehealth, paid for by the employer: 1) visually or audibly witnessing
the death or maiming or visually or audibly witnessing the immediate aftermath of such a death or
maiming of one or more human beings; 2) responding to or being directly involved in a criminal
investigation of an offense involving a dangerous crime against children; 3) requiring rescue in the
line of duty where one's life was endangered; 4) using deadly force or being subjected to deadly
force in the line of duty, regardless of whether the peace officer or firefighter was physically
injured; 5) witnessing the death of another peace officer or firefighter while engaged in the line of
duty; or 6) responding to or being directly involved in an investigation regarding the drowning or
near drowning of a child.
An employer must pay for up to an additional 24 outlined visits, if the licensed mental
health professional determines that the peace officer, firefighter or 911 dispatcher needs additional
visits of licensed counseling beyond that which the peace officer, firefighter or 911 dispatcher is
entitled to and that the additional visits are likely to improve the peace officer's, firefighter's or 911
dispatcher's condition (A.R.S. § 38-673).
Peace officers include: 1) sheriffs of counties; 2) constables; 3) marshals; 4) policemen of
cities and towns; 5) commissioned personnel of the Department of Public Safety; and 6) other
outlined individuals (A.R.S. § 1-215).
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) fiscal note on H.B. 2103 estimates that
this legislation could have a fiscal impact on counties to the extent that counties do not currently
offer traumatic event counseling to constables and deputy constables, however, given a lack of
information, JLBC cannot estimate the magnitude of the impact (JLBC Fiscal Note).
Provisions
1. Adds constables and deputy constables to the definition of peace officers for the purpose of
qualifying for traumatic event counseling. FACT SHEET – Revised
H.B. 2103
Page 2
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Revisions
• Updates the fiscal impact statement.
House Action
MAPS 1/29/24 DPA/SE 14-0-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/15/24 58-0-1-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 6, 2024
ZD/SB/cs