SB1309 is a bill that proposes amendments to the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to mental health services. The bill expands the requirements for applications and petitions for court-ordered behavioral health evaluations to include more detailed information about the proposed patient. It outlines the duties and prohibitions of screening or evaluation agencies upon receiving such applications or petitions and specifies who may provide informed consent on behalf of a proposed patient for a voluntary evaluation.

Key changes introduced by the bill include the requirement for applications to include additional information such as the names and addresses of the proposed patient's agent under a health care power of attorney, a statement of the patient's relevant mental health history, and the names and contact information of any witnesses to the behavior prompting the application. The bill also allows informed consent for voluntary evaluations to be provided by the patient, their guardian, or their designated agent under a power of attorney. Additionally, the bill prohibits evaluation agencies from declining to process applications or petitions due to a lack of witnesses. Technical and conforming changes are also made, and the bill is set to become effective on the general effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-514, 36-520, 36-522, 36-523, 36-530, 36-533, 36-521, 8-327, 13-501, 36-531, 36-521.01, 32-3251, 13-4517, 13-4510, 36-512, 36-513
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-514, 36-520, 36-522, 36-523, 36-530, 36-533, 36-521, 8-327, 13-501, 36-531, 36-521.01, 32-3251, 13-4517, 13-4510, 36-512, 36-513
Chaptered Version: 36-514, 36-520, 36-522, 36-523, 36-530, 36-533, 36-521, 8-327, 13-501, 36-531, 36-521.01, 32-3251, 13-4517, 13-4510, 36-512, 36-513