AZ SB1597

Establishes eligibility criteria for mental health courts, requiring individuals to be 18+ years old with a severe mental illness diagnosis in the schizophrenia spectrum disorder class as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Excludes individuals with psychotic disorders due to medical conditions (traumatic brain injury, autism, dementia, neurologic conditions) or substance use disorder alone from mental health court eligibility.

Allows mental health court proceedings to be initiated in the county where the person resides, is found, or is facing criminal proceedings, with transfer to the person's county of residence upon consent.

Permits courts to divert defendants found mentally incompetent in misdemeanor cases for up to one year or the maximum sentence for the charged offense, whichever is shorter, with dismissal of charges upon satisfactory completion.

Requires courts to conduct competency hearings within 30 days and refer ineligible defendants to mental health courts within 14 days; mandates mental health treatment in facilities rather than jail with credit toward diversion terms.