Bill > SB1244

This bill modifies Arizona's laws regarding court-ordered mental health treatment, primarily by introducing provisions for "continuing court-ordered treatment." It clarifies that guardians and agents with decision-making authority must be notified of petitions for treatment, including renewals and conversions to continuing treatment orders, and allows them to provide input to the court. The bill also changes the terminology from "continued court-ordered treatment" to "renewal of the court order for treatment" and introduces a new process for converting a standard court-ordered treatment into a "continuing court-ordered treatment" after a patient's second consecutive annual review. This conversion requires a court to find by clear and convincing evidence that the patient has a mental disorder leading to a grave, persistent, or acute disability, is unwilling or unable to accept voluntary treatment, and without the continuing order, their condition is unlikely to improve and they face substantial harm or inability to meet basic needs. If granted, this continuing order can last until terminated by the court, and the maximum inpatient treatment periods do not apply. Annual reviews for continuing orders will involve a psychiatric examination and a report to the court, with the patient having the burden of proving they no longer meet the criteria for such treatment if they object.

Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/84758