SB 120 Summary

• Creates an alternative to arrest for persons experiencing acute behavioral health crises, allowing peace officers to deliver individuals to crisis stabilization centers or evaluation facilities instead of making arrests, provided the person voluntarily agrees and the officer believes in good faith a mental health crisis exists.

• Establishes that delivery to a crisis stabilization center or evaluation facility does not constitute arrest or involuntary commitment, and agreements to participate are inadmissible in criminal proceedings and do not create immunity from prosecution.

• Authorizes peace officers to take persons into emergency custody under AS 47.30.705 and deliver them to crisis stabilization centers or evaluation facilities as an alternative to arrest with prosecuting attorney authorization.

• Defines "crisis stabilization center" to include short-term, non-hospital facilities designed to evaluate and stabilize individuals experiencing acute behavioral health crises, including 23-hour centers, crisis residential centers, and subacute facilities, and requires these centers to be licensed under state regulations.

• Allows psychotropic medication to be administered without informed consent only during crisis situations when necessary to prevent serious harm, with orders valid for 24 hours and renewable for up to 72 hours total, and permits physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses to issue such medication orders.