Bill to Ensure Dangerous Criminal Defendants Receive Secure Mental Health Placement Advances in Senate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Legislation to protect public safety and ensure dangerous criminal defendants receive appropriate mental health treatment is advancing at the Arizona Legislature. Today, the Senate Health & Human Services Committee approved HB 2307 as amended, adopting an amendment from Senator Hildy Angius.
HB 2307 addresses a serious gap facing Arizona courts and communities. According to state statute, if a defendant is deemed dangerous and incompetent to stand trial, the defendant must be remanded to a Secure Mental Health Facility. As of today, no such facilities exist in Arizona. This legislation ensures that certain individuals, meeting a specific set of requirements, are sent to secure behavioral health facilities, rather than being released back into communities.
The amendment from Senator Angius allows the Arizona State Hospital to temporarily accept certain dangerous, incompetent defendants on its forensic campus when secure mental health beds are unavailable. It also establishes reporting requirements and a legislative study committee to examine long-term solutions for secure mental health facilities. HB 2307 previously passed the Arizona House of Representatives with bipartisan support.
"Public safety must come first," said Senator Angius, a member of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. "When someone is found dangerous and incompetent to stand trial, they need to be placed in a secure facility where they can receive treatment while protecting the public. This bill helps close a gap in our system and ensures dangerous offenders do not fall through the cracks simply because there is not a bed available in Arizona."
HB 2307 now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus