This bill proposes significant updates to current statutes regarding the licensure of behavioral health facilities in Arizona. Under the new provisions, beginning January 1, 2027, all applicants, licensees, owners, and controlling persons of specified behavioral health facilities must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and possess a valid Level I fingerprint clearance card (FPCC). The types of facilities affected include outpatient treatment centers, behavioral health inpatient and residential facilities, counseling facilities, substance abuse transitional facilities, and specialized transitional facilities.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section (36-411.02) to the Arizona Revised Statutes and makes conforming changes to existing sections, while also deleting outdated references. The overall aim is to enhance the standards for licensure in the behavioral health sector, ensuring that individuals in positions of responsibility meet specific citizenship and background check requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-2903.18
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-2903.18
House Engrossed Version: 36-411.02, 41-619.51, 41-1758, 41-1758.01, 41-1758.07, 41-619.57, 8-804, 41-619.55, 3-314, 8-105, 8-322, 8-463, 8-509, 8-802, 15-183, 15-503, 15-512, 15-534, 15-763.01, 15-782.02, 15-1330, 15-1881, 17-215, 28-3228, 28-3413, 32-122.02, 32-122.05, 32-122.06, 32-823, 32-1232, 32-1276.01, 32-1284, 32-1297.01, 32-1904, 32-1941, 32-1982, 32-2022, 32-2063, 32-2108.01, 32-2123, 32-2371, 32-3271, 32-3430, 32-3620, 32-3668, 32-3669, 32-3922, 32-3924, 32-4128, 32-4222, 36-113, 36-207, 36-411, 36-425.03, 36-446.04, 36-594.01, 36-594.02, 36-766.01, 36-882, 36-883.02, 36-897.01, 36-897.03, 36-1940, 36-1940.01, 36-2069, 36-3008, 41-619.53, 41-1964, 41-1967.01, 41-1968, 41-1969, 41-2814, 41-4025, 46-141, 46-321, 41-619.52, 41-1750, 13-3623, 35-146, 35-147, 41-1758.03, 41-1758.04, 92-544, 15-106