Arizona creates a temporary study committee that must look at ways to improve mental health screening for people who are arrested or held in jail or prison, and report its recommendations by the end of 2026 and 2027, before the committee ends after December 31, 2027.
Official title: study committee; inmate mental health
- September 12, 2026
- First committee report due by December 31, 2026: First report
- Second committee report due by December 31, 2027: Second report
- Committee is repealed after December 31, 2027: Entire committee law
What changes
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NowA study committee on inmate mental health services is created, with 4 legislators (2 from each chamber, from different parties), the corrections director, the AHCCCS director (or their designees), and 7 other appointed members.
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NowThe appointed members include a regional behavioral health authority representative, a family member of someone in jail or prison with a mental health diagnosis, a prosecutor, a defense attorney, a special health care district employee, and 2 law enforcement representatives (one from a county under 1 million people and one from a county of 1 million or more).
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NowThe committee must examine ways to improve screening of people who are arrested and taken to jail or prison, and study ways to improve access to mental health screenings and screening for risks, including danger to the person and others, for people in jail or prison.
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NowThe committee must meet at least once a year and submit reports on its activities and recommendations to the governor and legislative leaders by December 31, 2026 and December 31, 2027, with a copy to the secretary of state.
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NowMembers are not paid but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses. The committee is repealed after December 31, 2027.
Who it affects
- People who are arrested or held in jail or prison, and their families
- State legislators appointed to the committee
- State department of corrections
- Arizona health care cost containment system (AHCCCS) administration
- Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and defense attorneys chosen to serve
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- Whether any of the committee's recommendations will be adopted or put into effect
- Whether any money is set aside for the committee's work
- Who provides staff support to the committee
- When the members must be appointed or when the first meeting must happen
- How current screening in jails and prisons works
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.