AZ SB1242

Authorizes Arizona courts to conduct mental health hearings using telephone, videoconferencing, or other audiovisual technology when it would not unfairly prejudice any party or witness

Allows patients, attorneys, and witnesses to appear and testify remotely in mental health treatment proceedings, including commitment hearings and annual reviews

Requires courts to consider the inconvenience or burden of in-person attendance and the ability of all parties to hear each other when deciding whether to permit virtual proceedings

Grants the Arizona Supreme Court authority to adopt rules governing virtual hearing procedures under the mental health services chapter

Amends three sections of Arizona Revised Statutes (36-505, 36-539, and 36-543) to incorporate audiovisual technology options throughout mental health judicial proceedings