This bill proposes the establishment of a new section, 36-149.01, in the Arizona Revised Statutes, which would create a homeless recovery telehealth pilot program. The program aims to facilitate access to telehealth services for mental health, addiction, and primary care treatment for homeless individuals statewide, while also creating a comprehensive census of the homeless population and supporting shelters and health centers through integrated telehealth services. The bill outlines specific responsibilities for the selected telehealth provider, including establishing access points in shelters, maintaining a secure database for patient care, and providing training to shelter staff.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $10,000,000 from the state general fund for the program and mandates the department of health services to monitor the program's impact on various metrics, including homelessness and hospital recidivism. The program is set to be evaluated after an initial five-year period, with the potential for expansion or modification based on the findings. The section is scheduled to be repealed after December 31, 2032, unless further legislative action is taken.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-149.01