Committee backs bill letting courts hold mental‑health proceedings virtually

The House Health and Human Services committee voted to give Senate Bill 12 42 a due‑pass recommendation after a brief presentation and a single public witness.

Ajani, the staff presenter, told the committee the bill "allows the court on its own motion or by request of a party to order mental health evaluation and treatment hearings or specified testimony ... to be conducted virtually by way of telephone, video conferencing, or another audiovisual technology if the court finds that the procedure will not unfairly prejudice a party or witness," and directed courts to weigh inconvenience to parties and whether everyone can be heard. The measure also authorizes the Arizona Supreme Court to adopt procedures for virtual mental‑health hearings.

Rachel Scribe, speaking for Arizona Mad Moms and the Association for Chronically Mentally Ill, said virtual and telephonic hearings are already in wide use in rural counties and Maricopa County and urged codification so cases are not dismissed for technical reasons. "This is important for our community, for public safety, and for the safety of caregivers and individuals with serious and disabling brain conditions," Scribe said.

Vice Chair moved that SB 12 42 be returned with a due‑pass recommendation; roll call produced 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present and 1 absent. The committee’s action is a recommendation to the next floor process; no final law was enacted in the hearing.

The bill gives judges explicit authority to run certain mental‑health proceedings remotely and tasks the Arizona Supreme Court with writing procedures; supporters said the change will reduce dismissals tied to technical problems and help rural litigants and caregivers. The committee did not hear opponents and took no amendments.

The committee’s recommendation will be transmitted to the next legislative stage per the chamber’s rules.