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Committee approves bill to allow licensed clinicians to testify in involuntary mental-health proceedings
Summary
Senate Bill 13-54 would allow witnesses who observed or were acquainted with a patient to testify in court-ordered treatment hearings and, after a 2024 Court of Appeals ruling, restore clinicians' ability to testify; the committee returned the bill with a due-pass recommendation after testimony from licensed clinicians and advocates.
The House Committee on Health and Human Services returned Senate Bill 13-54 with a due-pass recommendation after hearing testimony from licensed clinicians and family-advocacy groups.
SB 13-54 requires that evidence presented by the petitioner or patient in hearings for court‑ordered treatment include the testimony of two or more witnesses who either observed or were acquainted with the patient at the time of the alleged mental disorder prior to the current application, or who were not formal participants in the evaluation process if testifying after the application. The bill also limits witness testimony to observed facts and excludes expert opinion or conclusions.
Witnesses said the bill responds to a 2024 Arizona Court of Appeals ruling that, according to testimony, now prevents licensed behavioral‑health clinicians from serving as witnesses in involuntary treatment proceedings. Juliet Beeman, a licensed clinical social worker with Crisis Preparation Recovery, told the committee clinicians are often the only people who observe the behaviors that warrant a court-ordered evaluation and that excluding clinician testimony increases burdens on first responders and screening agencies and can lead to case dismissals when witnesses are not available.
Sheila Prosser, a licensed counselor, described staffing strains when law enforcement and emergency personnel are pressed into witness roles and said family members sometimes cannot serve because of work, transportation or childcare constraints.
Advocacy groups including Arizona Mad Moms spoke in favor of the bill, calling it a public‑safety and family‑support issue. The committee approved the bill; the roll call recorded 10 ayes, 0 nays and 2 members absent.
Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 13-54 — motion: "SB 13-54 be returned with a due pass recommendation." Outcome: returned with due pass; tally reported by the committee: 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstentions, 2 absent.
