Senate Bill 1716 Summary

• Establishes a five-member state hospital governing board appointed by the governor to oversee the Arizona state hospital, with members serving five-year terms and requiring hospital or health care administration experience.

• Transfers authority, powers, duties and responsibilities for the Arizona state hospital from the Department of Health Services to the newly created governing board, effective January 1, 2023.

• Changes the title of the state hospital's chief administrative officer from "superintendent" to "director," appointed by and under supervision of the governing board rather than the health department director.

• Requires the director to appoint a chief medical officer with at least three years' psychiatric experience and board certification in psychiatry, with approval from the governing board.

• Modifies reporting, budgeting and financial management responsibilities to reflect the new governing board structure, including monthly financial statements and annual reports to the governor and legislature.