Assigned to HHS FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2944
inpatient treatment days; computation; exclusion
Purpose
Excludes any time that a patient has spent in jail or prison from the maximum period of
involuntary inpatient treatment days that the court may order the patient to undergo.
Background
If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that a patient, as a result of a mental
disorder, is a danger to self or others or has a persistent, acute or grave disability and is in need of
treatment but is either unwilling or unable to accept voluntary treatment, the court must order the
patient to undergo outpatient treatment, treatment in a program consisting of combined inpatient
and outpatient treatment, or inpatient treatment in a mental health treatment agency or hospital as
prescribed. The maximum periods of inpatient treatment that the court may order a person to
undergo are: 1) 90 days, if found to be a danger to self; 2) 180 days, if found to be a danger to
others; 3) 180 days, if found to have a persistent or acute disability; and 4) 365 days, if found to
have a grave disability (A.R.S. ยง 36-540).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Excludes any time that a patient has spent in jail or prison from the maximum period of
involuntary inpatient treatment days that the court may order the patient to undergo.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HHS 2/13/25 DP 12-0-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/26/25 56-1-3
Prepared by Senate Research
March 10, 2025
MM/KS/slp