SB1578 Summary

• Amends the definition of "mental disorder" in Arizona law to explicitly include substance use disorders, which may co-occur with other mental health conditions.

• Allows individuals with severe and persistent substance use disorders that result in danger to self or others, or grave disability, to be court-ordered to treatment if they are unwilling or unable to accept voluntary treatment.

• Establishes new criteria requiring that a person with substance use disorder must be diagnosed by a qualified health professional, have a severe persistent disorder causing danger or grave disability, and be able to reasonably benefit from treatment before court-ordered treatment can be imposed.

• Clarifies that a person presenting with both mental disorder and substance use disorder may be eligible for involuntary treatment only after ruling out substance abuse as the primary cause and confirming a treatable mental disorder exists.

• Officially names the legislation the "Matthew Casey Wethington Act for Substance Abuse Intervention."