Assigned to HHS FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2249
residential care institutions; inspections
Purpose
Prohibits the Director of the Department of Health Services (Director) from accepting an
accreditation report in lieu of conducting compliance investigations for a behavioral health
residential care institution.
Background
Health care institutions must be inspected by the Director to determine if the institution is
in substantial compliance with the requirements that govern the operation and licensure of health
care institutions. The Director may accept, in lieu of all required compliance inspections, an
accreditation report completed by an independent nonprofit accrediting organization approved by
the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The following health care
institutions are ineligible for a compliance inspection exemption: 1) an intermediate care facility
for people with intellectual disabilities; 2) a nursing-supported group home; or 3) a health care
institution that was under enforcement action in the preceding year (A.R.S. § 36-424).
Residential care institutions are health care institutions, other than hospital or nursing care
institutions, that provide resident beds or residential units, supervisory care services, personal care
services, behavioral health services, directed care services or health-related services for persons
who do not need continuous nursing services. Behavioral health services are services that pertain
to mental health and substance use disorders and that are either: 1) performed by or under the
supervision of a licensed medical professional whose scope of practice allows the provision of
these services; or 2) performed on behalf of patients by behavioral health staff as prescribed by
rule (A.R.S. § 36-401).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits the Director from accepting accreditation reports in lieu of conducting compliance
investigations of residential care institutions that provide behavioral health services.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
RA 1/24/24 DPA 6-0-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/5/24 57-0-0-0-3
Prepared by Senate Research
March 1, 2024
MM/KS/DM/slp