AZ HB2518

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 31-226 regarding procedures for transferring mentally disordered prisoners to state hospitals or behavioral health treatment facilities.

Clarifies that prisoners who are transferred to the state hospital must be in the legal custody of the state department of corrections, with the transfer made by the department.

Requires the superintendent of the state hospital and director of the state department of corrections to provide quarterly reports to the superior court regarding the condition of transferred prisoners.

Authorizes inpatient mental health treatment facilities operated by the state department of corrections to act as screening agencies for court-ordered evaluations of prisoners within 120 days of scheduled release or while on release status.

Maintains that the state department of corrections shall pay all costs incurred for prisoners during their sentence, with counties reimbursed for court proceeding expenses in accordance with section 31-227.