AZ HB2084

Involuntary commitment orders issued by Arizona tribal courts and filed with the superior court clerk are recognized and enforceable by all state courts of record, subject to the same procedures and defenses as state court judgments.

The Arizona Supreme Court may adopt rules regarding recognition of tribal court involuntary commitment orders, and the state attorney general must be notified of filings and given five days to respond.

Patients committed to mental health treatment facilities under tribal court orders are subject to state jurisdiction, and discharge decisions are made by the treatment facility.

Treatment facilities must notify the issuing tribal court at least ten days before discharging or releasing a patient, with outpatient follow-up and transportation provided through an intergovernmental agreement between the tribe and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.

Mental health facilities may admit patients pending tribal court order filing, but must discharge the patient if the order is not filed by the close of business on the next open court day (or following day if that day is a tribal holiday), with transportation back to tribal jurisdiction required.