SB 1604
Initials AG Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
Senate: HHS DPA 7-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 24-3-3-0
House: HHS DPA 10-1-0-1
SB 1604: licensed secure health facility; defendants
Sponsor: Senator Angius, LD 30
House Engrossed
Overview
Prohibits patients who are civilly placed in an secure behavioral health residential facility
(SBHRF) by court order from being treated at an SBHRF that treats patients who are
committed to treatment after being found dangerous and incompetent to stand trial in a
criminal proceeding.
History
Effective January 1, 2024, if, after a defendant is found incompetent to stand trial, a
factfinder finds that the defendant is dangerous and should be involuntarily committed to
treatment, the court must dismiss the charges against the defendant without prejudice and
commit the defendant to a secure state mental health facility (Laws 2022, Chapter 352 and
A.R.S. § 13-4521).
The court may approve a patient, who is unwilling or unable to accept voluntary treatment,
for placement in an SBHRF if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that a proposed
patient, as a result of mental disorder, is a danger to self or others or has a persistent, acute
or grave disability and is in need of treatment (A.R.S. §§ 36-540 and 36-550.09).
A secure state mental health facility is licensed by the Department of Health Services (DHS)
to provide secure 24-hour on-site supportive treatment and supervision by staff with
behavioral health training for persons who have been determined to be seriously mentally
ill, chronically resistant to treatment for a mental disorder and who are placed in the SBHRF
pursuant to court order (A.R.S. §§ 13-4504 and 36-425.06).
Provisions
1. Forbids patients who are civilly placed in an SBHRF by court order from being treated at
an SBHRF that treats patients who are committed to treatment after being found
dangerous and incompetent to stand trial in a criminal proceeding. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note