HB 2953 Summary

• Establishes provisional licensure for out-of-state nurses (advanced practice registered nurses, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses) issued within 5 business days if applicant holds valid license in good standing in another state and meets additional requirements including criminal background check and Arizona residency or employment.

• Creates involuntary stabilization program (effective until December 31, 2027) allowing court-ordered detention of impaired persons (those with impaired judgment due to intoxication, withdrawal, or substance-induced symptoms) for up to 5 calendar days in counties with population between 1 million and 1.5 million persons.

• Modifies Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) eligibility procedures including monthly data matching with Department of Revenue for lottery winnings, quarterly death record reviews, and prohibition on accepting self-attestation without independent income verification.

• Expands behavioral health services by modifying coverage to include chiropractic services and diabetes self-management training funded through hospital assessment fund; eliminates mandatory hospital presumptive eligibility.

• Provides funding for collaborative care model technical assistance grants for primary care physicians, student registered nurse anesthetist clinical training programs, hospital interoperability software grant program, and Alzheimer's disease awareness campaign in rural and underserved areas for fiscal year 2025-2026.