This bill proposes the establishment of a "homeless recovery telehealth pilot program" under the Arizona Department of Health Services, which would be a public-private partnership with a selected telehealth provider. The program aims to enhance access to mental health, addiction, and primary care services for homeless individuals, create a comprehensive census of the homeless population, and support shelters and health centers by integrating telehealth services. The bill outlines specific responsibilities for the 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 million from the state general fund for the program and mandates the department to monitor its impact on various social metrics, including homelessness and healthcare costs. The program is set to be evaluated after five years to assess its effectiveness, with the potential for legislative action based on the findings. The bill also includes provisions for seeking additional funding and outlines the basic necessities that participating shelters must provide to individuals in the program. The section establishing the program is set to be repealed after December 31, 2032.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-149.01