Bill > SB1257

This bill introduces a new legal framework for court-ordered stabilization of impaired persons, specifically individuals experiencing substance-related impairment that compromises their ability to make rational decisions about their safety and basic needs. The bill defines an "impaired person" as someone whose judgment is significantly affected by intoxication, withdrawal, or substance-induced symptoms, rendering them incapable of making sound personal care decisions. Under this legislation, an admitting officer can petition the court to authorize a stabilization period of up to five calendar days, during which the individual can be involuntarily detained at an evaluation agency. The bill emphasizes several key protections, including the requirement that the impaired person must be informed of their rights, appointed legal counsel, offered the opportunity to consent to treatment, and assessed daily to determine if they still meet the definition of an impaired person. The stabilization process is designed to allow the effects of substances to resolve while ensuring the individual's safety, with provisions that prohibit unnecessary restraint or seclusion and mandate a person-centered approach to care. Additionally, the bill specifies that the costs of court proceedings and services will be charged to the state's health care administration or third-party payors, ensuring that the impaired person is not financially burdened by the stabilization process.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82619