AZ SB1710

Amends section 36-533 to allow counties with populations under 500,000 to use one physician plus either one physician assistant or one psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner (instead of two physicians) for mental health evaluations leading to court-ordered treatment petitions.

Updates section 36-539 to recognize "other health professionals" (physician assistants and psychiatric nurse practitioners) alongside physicians in commitment hearings, allowing their testimony and affidavits to satisfy evaluation requirements.

Requires affidavits from evaluating health professionals to detail specific observations and opinions regarding danger to self/others, disability status, and treatment needs in commitment petitions.

Establishes that court-ordered treatment hearings must include testimony from evaluating physicians or other health professionals about their personal observations and clinical opinions regarding the patient's mental disorder and need for treatment.