SB 1354 Summary

• Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 36-539 regarding court-ordered mental health treatment hearings

• Requires testimony from two or more witnesses who observed or knew the patient at the time of the alleged mental disorder, regardless of professional licensure, whose testimony is limited to observed facts without expert opinions

• Specifies that witnesses must not have been formal participants in the evaluation process and may testify before or after the current application for evaluation

• Allows witness testimony to be satisfied by stipulated statements agreed upon by parties in addition to evaluating physicians' testimony

• Became effective upon Governor approval on March 31, 2025