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Bill

HB 2673

mental illness; prisoners; diagnosis; treatment.

57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Introduced by Cesar Aguilar and 7 co-sponsors

Arizona bill establishes mental illness screening, diagnosis, and treatment requirements for incarcerated individuals to improve correctional mental health services.

Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 2673

Legislative bill overview

HB 2673 addresses mental illness screening, diagnosis, and treatment protocols for incarcerated individuals in Arizona's correctional system. The bill establishes requirements for how prisons must identify, assess, and provide mental health care to prisoners with diagnosed mental illnesses. It creates standards and procedures to ensure consistency in mental health services across the state's Department of Corrections.

Why is this important

Untreated mental illness in prisons contributes to higher rates of suicide, self-harm, violence, and recidivism. Adequate screening and treatment can reduce institutional incidents, improve public safety upon release, and address humanitarian concerns about the care of vulnerable populations. This has financial implications for both correctional budgets and downstream criminal justice costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation: Expanding mental health screening and treatment in prisons requires funding, staffing, and infrastructure that may strain budgets or require reallocation from other correctional programs
  • Standards and oversight: Disagreement over what constitutes adequate treatment standards, who monitors compliance, and what penalties apply for non-compliance
  • Balance between security and care: Tensions between custodial security concerns and therapeutic approaches, particularly regarding medication use, segregation of mentally ill inmates, and facility design

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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