authorized transporters, the official text

Senate Engrossed
House Bill

[authorized
transporters]

(now: transportation;
mental health; patients)

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HOUSE BILL 2404

AN
ACT

Amending title 36, chapter 5, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 36-503.05; relating to mental
health services.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 36, chapter 5, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding section 36-503.05, to read:

START_STATUTE36-503.05. Mental health patients; proposed patients; transportation; use of
peace officers prohibited; exceptions

A. Notwithstanding
any other law to the contrary, A peace officer may not conduct the transport of a person from
a hospital emergency department or a locked unit of a behavioral health
facility to another health care institution, an evaluation agency or a mental
health treatment agency, unless one of the following applies:

1. The person is incarcerated.

2. A court, a person, an evaluation
agency or a mental health treatment agency has reasonable grounds to believe
that the patient or proposed patient cannot be safely apprehended without the
assistance of a peace officer.

3. Any person requests a peace
officer by dialing 911 or a similar designated telephone number for emergency
calls and needs emergency assistance.

B. Except as provided in subsection A
of this section, an authorized transporter shall conduct any apprehension and
transport of a patient or proposed patient.

Sec. 2. Effective date

Section 36-503.05, Arizona
Revised Statutes, as added by this act, is effective from and after December
31, 2029.