The proposed bill SB1682 amends existing Arizona law regarding the admission process for the Arizona State Hospital (ASH). Under the new provisions, ASH is required to admit patients based solely on their clinical need for treatment, eliminating any limitations on admissions based on the patient's county of residence. This change aims to ensure that all individuals requiring psychiatric care have equal access to treatment, regardless of their geographic location.

Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that a legally available funded bed must be present in the state hospital for a court to amend a treatment order for a patient. This means that if a court determines that a patient would benefit from treatment at ASH, the absence of a funded bed will no longer be a barrier to their admission. Overall, these changes are intended to enhance the accessibility and responsiveness of mental health services provided by ASH.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-202, 36-541
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-202, 36-541