The proposed bill would amend current statutes by adding a new section to Title 13, Chapter 37 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifically addressing the failure to maintain adequate records related to behavioral health services. Under the new provisions, a person would be deemed to have committed this failure if the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) determines there is sufficient evidence of fraud, refers the case to a criminal justice agency, and the individual either knowingly fails to maintain necessary records or fails to report the destruction of such records. The bill specifies that these records must disclose the nature of the behavioral health services provided and all income and expenditures related to payment rates.

Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for violations, classifying the failure to maintain records as a class 1 misdemeanor and the failure to report the destruction of records as a class 2 misdemeanor. It also clarifies that "behavioral health services" will have the same definition as outlined in existing statutes governing health care institutions. Overall, these updates aim to enhance accountability and compliance in the management of behavioral health service records.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-1236, 32-1276.02, 32-1281, 32-1287, 32-1297.06, 32-4301, 36-2606, 32-1298, 32-1291.01, 32-1289.01
House Engrossed Version: 32-1281
Senate Engrossed Version: 13-3733
Chaptered Version: 13-3733