Legislation to Prevent Dangerous, Seriously Mentally Ill Individuals from Being Released into Arizona Communities Passes Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                   Thursday, March 6, 2025

Legislation to Prevent Dangerous, Seriously Mentally Ill Individuals

From Being Released into Arizona Communities Passes Senate

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Legislation to protect the safety of Arizonans and provide services to individuals who the court deems dangerous, severely mentally ill, and incompetent to stand trial, passed the Senate with bipartisan support today.

SB 1604, sponsored by Senator Hildy Angius, addresses a significant gap in the state's legal and mental health framework, where dangerous individuals are currently placed into unregulated facilities or released into communities where they pose significant risk of harming themselves and others. Under SB 1604, a court will determine if an individual is severely mentally ill, poses a threat to public safety, or is incompetent to stand trial. If the court makes this decision, charges will be dismissed without prejudice and the individual will be committed to a secure mental health facility for professional treatment.

"With the current lack of facilities for severely mentally ill individuals, mental health professionals and law enforcement agencies are left with limited options, often resorting to temporary solutions that fail to adequately address the issue at hand," said Senator Angius. "If adopted, SB 1604 will be the safety measure Arizonans so desperately need, ensuring a safer, and more effective process for everyone involved. If someone is found to be incompetent to stand trial and is a danger to themselves or others, we cannot allow them to remain untreated in environments where they pose a risk. This legislation ensures that individuals who need intensive mental health care are placed in facilities equipped to address their needs. Arizonans deserve to live in an environment where their safety is not compromised, including those who are severely mentally ill. I am pleased to see this legislation advance through the Senate and head to the House for consideration. I look forward to the governor signing this bill when it hits her desk."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov