ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
alcoholism; involuntary
commitment
Repeals the statutes
relating to involuntary commitment of a chronic alcoholic to a treatment
center.
The Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) in the Department of Health Services (DHS) administers Arizona’s behavioral health system through five regional behavioral health authorities and over 350 service providers. These entities respond to contract requirements, court mandates, laws and regulations with up to 63 different reports every year. According to DHS, these extensive reporting requirements are often duplicative and unnecessarily exhaust resources.
Last year, the Legislature required the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to identify any duplicative or outdated reporting requirements and make recommendations to streamline or eliminate them. In its review, the OAG found statute allows the director of the local alcoholism reception center (LARC) in Maricopa County to petition the court for involuntary commitment of a person who is deemed a chronic alcoholic. In addition, statute requires the director to submit a report to DBHS about the commitments. Since the enactment of this law, the behavioral health delivery system has changed and LARC is now operated by a private, nonprofit organization. In addition, the current LARC program manager has never petitioned the court for involuntary treatment and DBHS has not received a report since 1992. In response to the OAG’s recommendation, S.B. 1266 repeals the statutes relating to involuntary commitment of a chronic alcoholic to a treatment center and the corresponding reporting requirement.
There is no cost associated
with the provisions of this bill.
1. Repeals the process for the involuntary commitment of chronic alcoholics to treatment centers and the corresponding treatment plan and reporting requirements.
2. Makes conforming and technical changes.
3. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 8, 2002