AZ SB1553

Amends competency restoration treatment procedures and cost-sharing responsibilities between defendants, counties, cities, and the state, clarifying payment obligations for inpatient treatment at the Arizona State Hospital.

Creates licensing requirements for secure behavioral health residential facilities with a maximum of 16 beds to serve seriously mentally ill individuals who are chronically resistant to treatment and placed by court order.

Establishes court procedures for determining chronic resistance to treatment based on 24-month history of nonadherence, failed less-restrictive treatment attempts, and documented harm or deterioration.

Specifies county contributions to Arizona Long-Term Care System and county acute care contributions for fiscal year 2019-2020, with enforcement mechanisms allowing state treasurer to withhold other state payments if counties fail to contribute required amounts.

Requires annual reports on hospital charge master transparency and inpatient psychiatric treatment availability, including bed capacity, occupancy rates, out-of-state placements, and psychiatric boarding in emergency rooms.