1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong support for House Bill 2673, which establishes comprehensive procedures for identifying, evaluating, and treating prisoners with mental disorders in Arizona's correctional facilities. This legislation addresses a critical gap in our criminal justice system by ensuring continuity of mental health care for incarcerated individuals. The bill's requirement that county jails screen all incoming prisoners for prior mental illness diagnoses and continue prescribed medications within 24 hours of arrival is essential. Too often, individuals with mental health conditions experience dangerous interruptions in treatment upon incarceration, leading to deterioration of their condition and increased risk of harm. By mandating that sheriffs determine what medications were prescribed before confinement and ensure uninterrupted access, HB 2673 prevents these harmful gaps in care. The new pre-incarceration evaluation provisions in Section 31-226.02 represent a significant improvement in how Arizona manages prisoners with mental health needs. Requiring a psychiatrist evaluation before delivery into department custody, creation of a written treatment plan approved by the court, and identification of prisoners with medical or mental health needs during transfer ensures that critical information follows individuals through the system. This evidence-based approach protects both the individuals receiving care and the staff responsible for their custody. The bill also establishes clear timelines that create accountability. The 24-hour examination requirement for county jails and 72-hour examination requirement for state facilities ensure prompt professional evaluation when symptoms manifest. The 7-day deadline for requesting serious mental illness determinations prevents individuals from languishing without appropriate classification and treatment. By providing judicial oversight through court-ordered evaluations and requiring quarterly reports on prisoner conditions, HB 2673 balances public safety concerns with protection of individual rights. This legislation recognizes that effective mental health treatment in correctional settings benefits everyone by reducing recidivism, improving facility safety, and supporting successful reentry. I urge you to support HB 2673 and help ensure that Arizona's correctional system provides humane and effective mental health care.