SB1678 • 2026

health facilities; group homes; resident information

SB1678 - (NOW: residential healthcare; emergencies; study committee)

Healthcare

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Timothy "Tim" Dunn
Last action: 2026-03-10
Official status: House second read
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest text did not specify the exact penalties for non-compliance with these requirements or funding details, leaving those points as limits and unknowns.

Health Facilities; Group Homes; Resident Information

This bill requires health care facilities to provide emergency responders with resident information, including do-not-resuscitate orders, and reestablishes the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee.

What This Bill Does

Requires assisted living centers and homes to give emergency responders written documents about residents' medical conditions and advance directives when they call for help.
Directs the Department of Health Services (DHS) to investigate complaints if health care institutions do not provide a resident's do-not-resuscitate order or other advance directive during an emergency.
Reestablishes the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee to review and recommend improvements to vulnerable adult services.

Who It Names or Affects

Residents of assisted living centers, group homes, and other health care facilities.
Emergency responders who are called by these facilities.
Health care institutions that provide services to vulnerable adults.

Terms To Know

Advance Directive: A legal document that outlines a person's wishes for medical treatment if they cannot make decisions themselves.
Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (DNR): An order from a doctor, based on a patient’s directive, to not perform CPR or other life-saving measures.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the exact penalties for non-compliance with these requirements.
It is unclear how much funding will be provided for implementing and enforcing these new rules.
The effectiveness of the study committee's recommendations depends on future legislative action.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SENATE - Dunn flr amend (ref Bill) (sub RAGE) adopted (Adopted)

Adopted

Plain English: Amendment explanation prepared by Hayden Darst 3/2/2026 Bill Number: S.B.

Amendment explanation prepared by Hayden Darst 3/2/2026 Bill Number: S.B.
1678 Dunn SUBSTITUTE Floor Amendment Reference to: printed bill Amendment drafted by: Leg.
Council FLOOR AMENDMENT EXPLANATION 1.
Requires each assisted living center or home that contacts an emergency responder on behalf of a resident to: a) note in the resident’s record that the assisted living center or home provided the written document of patient information required in accordance with statute to the emergency responder; and b) obtain written or electronic acknowledgement from the emergency responder that the emergency responder received the written document.

This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.

SENATE - Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency (Proposed)

Proposed

Plain English: Fifty-seventh Legislature Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Second Regular Session S.B.

Fifty-seventh Legislature Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Second Regular Session S.B.
1678 PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS TO S.B.
1678 (Reference to printed bill) The bill as proposed to be amended is reprinted as follows: 1 Section 1.
Title 36, chapter 4, article 1, Arizona Revised 2 Statutes, is amended by adding section 36-420.06, to read: 3 36-420.06.

This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.

SENATE - Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency (Adopted)

Adopted

Plain English: Fifty-seventh Legislature Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Second Regular Session S.B.

Fifty-seventh Legislature Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Second Regular Session S.B.
1678 COMMITTEE ON REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY SENATE AMENDMENTS TO S.B.
1678 (Reference to printed bill) The bill as proposed to be amended is reprinted as follows: 1 Section 1.
Title 36, chapter 4, article 1, Arizona Revised 2 Statutes, is amended by adding section 36-420.06, to read: 3 36-420.06.

This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.

Bill History

2026-03-10 House
House second read
2026-03-09 House
House Rules: None
2026-03-09 House
House Health & Human Services: None
2026-03-09 House
House first read
2026-03-03 House
Transmitted to House
2026-03-03 Senate
Senate third read passed
2026-03-03 Senate
Senate committee of the whole
2026-02-23 Senate
Senate minority caucus
2026-02-23 Senate
Senate majority caucus
2026-02-09 Senate
Senate second read
2026-02-05 Senate
Senate Rules: PFC
2026-02-05 Senate
Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency: DPA
2026-02-05 Senate
Senate first read

Official Summary Text

SB1678 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

Assigned to
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PASSED BY COW

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR
S.B. 1678

health
facilities; group homes; resident information

(
NOW:
residential healthcare; emergencies; study committee
)

Purpose

Prescribes criteria for the Department of Health Services (DHS) to
conduct an investigation into a health care institution if a patient's or
resident's do-not-resuscitate order is not followed after requested emergency
medical services. Reestablishes the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee
(Study Committee).

Background

DHS licenses and oversees health care institutions in Arizona. DHS must
adopt rules to establish minimum standards and requirements for constructing,
modifying and licensing health care institutions necessary to ensure the public
health safety and welfare (A.R.S. ��
36-405

and
36-406
).

In 2024, the Legislature established the Study Committee to: 1) develop
and implement a coordinated vulnerable adult delivery system that ensures the
health and safety of vulnerable adults; 2) recommend best practices relating to
responding to and investigating complaints;

3) research best practices related to adult protective services at the state,
municipality and community levels; 4) research and make recommendations on how
the vulnerable adult system can ensure that vulnerable adults receive services
they require after the vulnerable adult system completes its investigatory
duties, including assigning a specific agency with the responsibility to
provide or coordinate case management; 5) research and identify common
statewide outcomes;

6) identify best practices for data collection and data sharing by various
entities involved in providing vulnerable adult services; and 7) review and
recommend changes to the statutes and rules that govern vulnerable adult
services. The Study Committee submitted its initial report with recommendations
on October 1, 2025, including the extension of the Study Committee beyond its
sunset date of January 1, 2026 (
Laws 2024, Ch. 100
;

Study
Committee Initial Report
).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund
associated with this legislation.

Provisions

Patient
or Resident Directives

1.

Requires each assisted living center or home that contacts an emergency
responder on behalf of a resident to:

a)

note
in the resident�s record that the assisted living center or home provided the
written document of patient information required in accordance with statute to
the emergency responder; and

b)

obtain
written or electronic acknowledgement from the emergency responder that the
emergency responder received the written document.

2.

Requires DHS, if it receives a complaint from an emergency medical care
technician or peace officer alleging that a health care institution failed to
provide a patient's or resident's do-not-resuscitate order or other advance
directive, if on file with the health care institution, after requesting
emergency medical services, to determine whether the health care institution:

a)

is
in compliance with the patient information disclosure requirements in
accordance with statute;

b)

has
policies and procedures established, documented and implemented that cover
advance directives, including do-not-resuscitate orders; and

c)

complied
with the policies and procedures in the situation that was basis for the
complaint.

3.

Requires DHS, if it receives a complaint from an emergency medical care
technician or peace officer alleging that a group home or behavioral supported
home failed to provide a resident's do-not-resuscitate order or other advance
directive, if on file with the group home or behavioral-supported group home, after
requesting emergency medical services, to determine whether the group home or
behavioral-supported group home:

a)

has
policies and procedures established, documented and implemented that cover
advance directives, including do-not-resuscitate orders; and

b)

complied
with the policies and procedures in the situation that was basis for the
complaint.

4.

States that the compliance requirements for advance directives do not
require a patient or resident to have any advance directive, including a
do-not-resuscitate order, on file with a health care institution, group home or
behavioral-supported group home unless otherwise specified by law.

5.

Requires DHS to adopt rules to ensure compliance with criteria for
investigation into a group home or behavioral supported home if a patient's or
resident's do-not-resuscitate order is not followed after requested emergency
medical services.

Study Committee

6.

Reestablishes
the Study Committee, consisting of the following members:

a)

two
members of the Senate who are appointed by the President of the Senate and who
are members of different political parties, one of which is designated to serve
as Co-Chair;

b)

two
members of the House of Representatives who are appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives and who are members of different political parties,
one of which is designated to serve as Co-Chair;

c)

the
Director of DHS or the Director's designee;

d)

the
Director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) or the Director's
designee;

e)

the
Director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System or the Director's
designee;

f)

one
member who represents the Governor's Office and who is appointed by the
Governor;

g)

one
member who represents the Attorney General's Office and who is appointed by the
Attorney General;

h)

DES's
long-term care ombudsman or the ombudsman's designee;

i)

one
member who currently serves as a public fiduciary and who is appointed by the
Governor;

j)

two
members who are employed by a local law enforcement agency or by a statewide
organization that represents law enforcement and who are appointed by the
Governor;

k)

the
Executive Director of the Navajo Area Agency on Aging or the Executive
Director's designee;

l)

the
Executive Director of the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona or the Executive
Director's designee;

m)

two members who
represent assisted living facilities and who are appointed by the Speaker of
the House of Representatives;

n)

two
members who represent nursing care institutions and who are appointed by the
Governor;

o)

one
member who represents a statewide organization that advocates for elderly
vulnerable adults and who is appointed by the President of the Senate;

p)

one
member who represents a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of
persons affected by Alzheimer's disease and who is appointed by the President
of the Senate;

q)

one
member who represents a statewide association that advocates on behalf of
persons who provide services to persons with developmental disabilities and who
is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

r)

one
licensed health care professional who is appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives and who provides health care services to elderly vulnerable
adults;

s)

one
member who is on the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging and who is appointed
by the Governor; and

t)

one
member who represents a statewide association representing firefighters in
Arizona and who is appointed by the President of the Senate.

7.

Requires
the Study Committee to:

a)

develop
and implement a coordinated vulnerable adult services delivery system that
ensures the health and safety of vulnerable adults;

b)

recommend
best practices relating to responding to and investigating complaints;

c)

research
best practices related to adult protective services at the state, municipality
and community levels;

d)

research
and make recommendations on how the vulnerable adult system can ensure that
vulnerable adults receive services they require after the vulnerable adult
system completes its investigatory duties, including assigning a specific
agency with the responsibility to provide or coordinate case management;

e)

research
and identify common statewide outcomes;

f)

identify
best practices for data collection and data sharing by various entities
involved in providing vulnerable adult services; and

g)

review
and recommend changes to the statutes and rules that govern vulnerable adult
services.

8.

Allows the co-chairpersons to designate work groups to research, study
and make recommendations to the Study Committee.

9.

Requires at least two work groups to be established to separately
address the needs of persons with developmental disabilities and persons who
are elderly or who have a physical disability, including the training
requirements for persons who are caring for these populations.

10.

Requires
DES, once the Study Committee establishes a strategic direction, and in
conjunction with the work groups, to develop an action plan for implementation.

11.

States
that public members of the Study Committee are eligible to receive
reimbursement of expenses in accordance with statute.

12.

Requires the Study
Committee, by October 1, 2026, and each October 1 thereafter, to submit a
report of its findings and recommendations to:

a)

the Governor;

b)

the President of the Senate;

c)

the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

d)

the
Secretary of State.

13.

Repeals
the Study Committee on January 1, 2029.

Miscellaneous

14.

Defines

health care institution
as a licensed assisted living center, assisted
living home, assisted living facility, hospice, nursing-supported group home,
nursing care institution or a residential care institution.

15.

Defines

emergency medical technician
as an individual who has been certified by DHS
as an emergency medical technician, an advanced emergency medical technician,
an emergency medical technician I-99 or a paramedic.

16.

Becomes
effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by
Committee

1.

Removes the requirement for an employee of a health care institution,
group home or behavioral-supported group home who provides direct care to a
patient or resident to complete a form prescribed by DHS, which may be
electronic, for each patient or resident under the employee's care to update
the patient's or resident's information before the end of the employee's workday
or shift and another employee assumes the care of the patient or resident.

2.

Requires DHS to conduct investigations if it receives a complaint from
an emergency medical care technician or emergency medical responder alleging
that health care institution failed to provide a patient's or resident's
do-not-resuscitate order after requesting emergency medical services.

3.

Requires DHS to conduct investigations if it receives a complaint from
an emergency medical care technician or emergency medical responder alleging
that group home or behavioral supported home failed to provide a patient's or
resident's do-not-resuscitate order after requesting emergency medical services.

Amendments Adopted by
Committee of the Whole

1.

The committee amendment was withdrawn.

2.

Requires each assisted living center or home that contacts an emergency
responder on behalf of a resident to:

a)

note
in the resident�s record that the assisted living center or home provided the
written document of patient information required in accordance with statute to
the emergency responder; and

b)

obtain
written or electronic acknowledgement from the emergency responder that the
emergency responder received the written document.

3.

Removes the requirement for an employee of a health care institution,
group home or behavioral-supported group home who provides direct care to a
patient or resident to complete a form prescribed by the DHS, which may be
electronic, for each patient or resident under the employee's care to update
the patient's or resident's information before the end of the employee's
workday or shift and another employee assumes the care of the patient or
resident.

4.

Requires DHS, if it receives a complaint from an emergency medical care
technician or peace officer alleging that a health care institution failed to
provide a patient�s or resident�s do-not-resuscitate order or other advance
directive, if on file with the health care institution, after requesting
emergency medical services, to determine whether the health care institution:

a)

is
in compliance with the patient information disclosure requirements in
accordance with statute;

b)

has
policies and procedures established, documented and implemented that cover
advance directives, including do-not-resuscitate orders; and

c)

complied
with the policies and procedures in the situation that was basis for the
complaint.

5.

Requires DHS, if it receives a complaint from an emergency medical care
technician or peace officer alleging that a group home or behavioral-supported
group home failed to provide a resident�s do-not-resuscitate order or other
advance directive, if on file with the group home or behavioral-supported group
home, after requesting emergency medical services, to determine whether the
group home or behavioral-supported group home:

a)

has
policies and procedures established, documented and implemented that cover
advance directives, including do-not-resuscitate orders; and

b)

complied
with the policies and procedures in the situation that was basis for the
complaint.

6.

States that the compliance requirements for advance directives do not
require a patient or resident to have any advance directive, including a
do-not-resuscitate order, on file with a health care institution, group home or
behavioral-supported group home unless otherwise specified by law.

7.

Defines
emergency medical technician
.

Senate Action

RAGE���� 2/18/26������� DPA������ 6-0-1

Prepared by Senate Research

March 3, 2026

JT/HD/ci

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB1678 - 572R - S Ver

Senate Engrossed

health
facilities; group homes; resident information

(now:� residential
healthcare; emergencies; study committee)

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SENATE BILL 1678

AN
ACT

amending section 36-420.04, Arizona
Revised Statutes; Amending title 36, chapter 4, article 1, Arizona Revised
Statutes, by adding section 36-420.06; amending title 36, chapter 5.1,
article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 36-576; relating
to health care institutions.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 36-420.04, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE
36-420.04.

Assisted living centers and homes; emergency responders; resident
information; hospitals; discharge planning; patient screenings; discharge
documents

A. An assisted living center or assisted living home
that contacts an emergency responder on behalf of a resident shall provide to
the emergency responder a written document that includes all of the following:

1. The reason or reasons the emergency responder was
requested on behalf of the resident.

2. Whether the resident receives medication services
and, if the resident has provided this information to the assisted living
center or assisted living home, a list of all the resident's prescription and
over-the-counter medications, their dosages and how frequently they are
administered.

3. The name, address and telephone number of the
resident's current pharmacy.

4. A list of any known allergies to any medications,
additives, preservatives or materials
like
,
such as
latex or adhesive.

5. The name and contact information for the
resident's primary care physician and power of attorney or authorized
representative.

6. Basic information about the resident's physical
and mental conditions and basic medical history, such as having diabetes or a
pacemaker or experiencing frequent falls or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular
events, as well as dates of recent episodes, if known.

7. The point-of-contact information for
the assisted living center or assisted living home, including the telephone
number
and
, if available,
a

cell phone number and email address. A point of contact
must be available to respond to questions regarding the information provided
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

8. A copy of the resident's health insurance
portability and accountability act release authorizing a receiving hospital to
communicate with the assisted living center or assisted living home to plan for
the resident's discharge. This paragraph does not preclude a resident from
revoking the resident's health insurance portability and accountability act
release authorization.

9. A copy of the resident's advance directives, if
any, on file at the assisted living center or assisted living home. This
paragraph does not preclude a resident from revoking or modifying the
resident's advance directives.

B. Each assisted living center or
assisted living home that contacts an emergency responder on behalf of a
resident shall note in the resident's record that the assisted living center or
assisted living home provided the document required by subsection A of this
section to the emergency responder and shall obtain written or electronic
acknowledgment from the emergency responder that the emergency responder
received the document.

B.

C.
The
assisted living center or assisted living home must notify the resident's
authorized representative that the resident was transported to a hospital and
provide the name and location of the hospital.

C.

D.
Each
assisted living center and assisted living home must maintain a standardized
form for each resident that includes the information prescribed in subsection A
of this section, except for the information prescribed in subsection A,
paragraph 1 of this section, which shall be provided at the time the emergency
responder is contacted. Each assisted living center and assisted living home
shall periodically update this form for each resident as necessary.

D.

E.
An
assisted living center or assisted living home shall maintain a copy of the
document provided to the emergency responder and documentation of the actions
required by subsection
B

C
of this section for a period of two years after the date of
the emergency.

E.

F.
If
the emergency responder transports the resident to a hospital, the emergency
responder shall provide a copy of the written document required by subsection A
of this section to the receiving hospital.

F.

G.
To
protect the health and safety of patients being transferred by a hospital to an
assisted living center or assisted living home, a discharging hospital shall
coordinate with the health care institution from which the patient has been
transferred or the health care institution to which the patient will be
discharged and shall provide a written discharge plan for each inpatient. The
discharge plan shall:

1. Be prepared by appropriate staff.

2. Include point-of-contact information
for the discharging hospital, including a telephone number and, if available,
an email address. The hospital's point of contact shall monitor the telephone
and, if available, the email address provided and shall promptly respond to any
inquiry. For forty-eight hours after discharge, the
discharging hospital's designated point of contact must be available to respond
to the receiving assisted living center or assisted living home to assist in
returning or admitting the patient to the facility and to clarify any needed
information in the discharge plan. Hospitals shall have a qualified
hospital representative respond to discharge plan questions received from the
assisted living center or assisted living home.

3. Document the patient's discharge evaluation and
provide an assessment of the patient's medical or health conditions, including:

(a) Any documented pressure injuries or ulcers, the
location on the body and the assessed stage level.

(b) Cognitive or physical conditions or impairments.

(c) The patient's weight-bearing status.

(d) Specified dietary requirements, if applicable.

(e) Whether the patient requires continuous medical
services or continuous or intermittent nursing services or restraints.

(f) Whether the patient requires specialized medical
equipment or home health services and a copy of the hospital's orders for that
equipment or those services.

(g) Follow-up health care services and other
services recommended for the patient.

4. Include, if applicable, a copy of any
prescription that was transmitted to the patient's current pharmacy as
designated in subsection A of this section or the medication summary or
medication instructions. The copy of the prescription or medication summary or
medication instructions shall include the patient's name, medication
administration instructions and the signature of the prescriber or a record
that the prescription was electronically signed by the prescriber.

5. Document that the hospital notified the receiving
assisted living center or assisted living home of any new device orders for the
patient.

6. Document that the discharging hospital notified
the patient's authorized representative that the patient was discharged and
provided the name, location and contact information of the receiving facility.

G.

H.
The
discharging hospital shall contact the assisted living center or assisted
living home from which the patient entered the hospital, after initial
inpatient assessment, to discuss an evaluation of the patient's likely
postdischarge health care needs. The hospital shall reevaluate and
discuss with the assisted living center or assisted living home from which the
patient entered the hospital the patient's condition, as appropriate, to
identify changes to the patient's condition that may impact the patient's
postdischarge health care needs, including recommendations, if any, by the
hospital to transfer the patient to a different facility other than the
facility from which the patient entered the hospital to address the patient's
higher care needs. The discharging hospital shall provide an opportunity for a
patient screening before discharge by the assisted living center or assisted
living home from which the patient entered the hospital or to which the patient
is being referred. The assisted living center or assisted living
home shall determine through a screening and a review of or discussion about
medical records whether the patient's postdischarge care needs, including
additional ordered services, are within the facility's scope of services. After
receiving notification from the discharging hospital, the assisted living
center or assisted living home shall perform the screening
promptly. For on-site screenings, the staff of the assisted
living center or assisted living home may be required to follow standard
hospital security and identification requirements. If the assisted
living center or assisted living home from which the patient entered the
hospital can no longer meet the patient's needs, the facility shall provide
documentation to the hospital demonstrating the reasons why the facility cannot
accept the patient back to the facility.

H.

I.
For
patients being transferred from a hospital to an assisted living center or
assisted living home who have not previously been admitted to the assisted
living center or assisted living home, the hospital shall coordinate with the
assisted living center or assisted living home to allow time to expeditiously
obtain documentation from a physician, registered nurse practitioner,
registered nurse or physician assistant coordinating the level of care needed
in the assisted living center or assisted living home.

I.

J.
For
emergency department or observation patients, the hospital shall provide the
assisted living center or assisted living home from which the patient entered
the hospital with a point of contact, including a telephone number and, if
available, an email address. The hospital's point of contact shall
monitor the telephone and, if available, the email address provided and
promptly respond to any inquiry. For forty-eight hours after
discharge, the discharging hospital's designated point of contact must be
available to respond to the receiving assisted living center or assisted living
home to assist in returning or admitting the patient to the assisted living
center or assisted living home and to clarify any needed information in the
discharge plan. Hospitals shall have a qualified hospital
representative respond to discharge plan questions received from the assisted
living center or assisted living home. The hospital shall also
provide the patient's assisted living center or assisted living home with any
new prescription orders as prescribed in subsection
F

G
, paragraph 4 of this section, a
record of medications administered and any identified follow-up care services
recommended for the patient. The hospital shall provide the
additional information outlined in subsection
F

G
, paragraph 3 of this section if
the hospital determines it is applicable. An assisted living center
or assisted living home from which the patient entered the hospital shall
readmit the patient if the assisted living center or assisted living home can
meet the care needs for the patient.

J.

K.
Each
hospital shall develop a discharge document that encompasses the information
outlined in subsection
F

G
of this section for inpatient discharges. The
discharge document shall be provided to the assisted living center or assisted
living home to which the patient is being discharged.
END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Title
36, chapter 4, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding
section 36-420.06, to read:

START_STATUTE
36-420.06.

Patients and residents; advance directives; do-not-resuscitate
orders; policies and procedures; definitions

A.
IF THE
DEPARTMENT RECEIVES A COMPLAINT FROM AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE TECHNICIAN OR
peace officer ALLEGING THAT a health care institution
FAILED
TO PROVIDE A patient's or resident's
DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE
ORDER or other advance directive, if on file with the health care institution,
AFTER REQUESTING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, the department shall determine
whether the health care institution:

1. Is in COMPLIANCE with section 36-420.04,
if applicable.

2. Has policies and procedures
established, documented and implemented that cover advance directives,
including do-not-resuscitate orders.

3. Complied with the policies and
procedures in the situation that was the basis for the complaint.

B. This section does not require a
patient or resident to have any advance directive, including a do-not-resuscitate
order, on file with a health care institution unless otherwise required by law.

C. For the purposes of this section
:

1. "Emergency medical care
technician" has the same meaning prescribed in section 36-2201.

2. "Health care
institution" means an assisted living center, an assisted living home, an
assisted living facility, hospice, a nursing-supported group home, a
nursing care institution or a residential care institution that is licensed
pursuant to this chapter.
END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Title 36, chapter 5.1, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 36-576, to read:

START_STATUTE
36-576.

Residents; advance directives; do-not-resuscitate
orders; policies and procedures; rules; definition

A.
IF THE
DEPARTMENT RECEIVES A COMPLAINT FROM AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE TECHNICIAN OR
peace officer ALLEGING THAT a group home or behavioral-supported group
home
failed to provide a resident's
DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDER or other advance directive, if on
file with the group home or behavioral-supported group home, AFTER
REQUESTING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, tHE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONDUCT AN
INVESTIGATION to determine whether the group home or behavioral-supported
group home:

1. Has policies and procedures
established, documented and implemented that cover advance directives,
including do-not-resuscitate orders.

2. Complied with the policies and
procedures in the situation that was the basis for the complaint.

B. This section does not require a
resident to have any advance directive, including a do-not-resuscitate
order, on file with a group home or behavioral-supported group home
unless otherwise required by law.

C. The department shall adopt rules
to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section.

D. for the purposes of this section,
"emergency medical care technician" has the same MEANING prescribed
in section 36-2201.
END_STATUTE

Sec. 4.
Vulnerable adult
system study committee; membership; duties; report; delayed repeal

A. The vulnerable adult
system study committee is established consisting of the following members:

1. Two members of the house
of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives and who are members of different political parties. The speaker
of the house of representatives shall designate one of these members to serve
as cochairperson of the committee.

2. Two members of the
senate who are appointed by the president of the senate and who are members of
different political parties. The president of the senate shall
designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.

3. The director of the
department of health services or the director's designee.

4. The director of the
department of economic security or the director's designee.

5. The director of the
Arizona health care cost containment system or the director's designee.

6. One member who
represents the governor's office and who is appointed by the governor.

7. One member who
represents the attorney general's office and who is appointed by the attorney
general.

8. The department of
economic security's long-term care ombudsman or the ombudsman's designee.

9. One member who currently
serves as a public fiduciary and who is appointed by the governor.

10. Two members who are
employed by a local law enforcement agency or by a statewide organization that
represents law enforcement and who are appointed by the governor.

11. The executive director
of the Navajo area agency on aging or the executive director's designee.

12. The executive director
of the inter tribal council of Arizona or the executive director's designee.

13. Two members who
represent assisted living facilities and who are appointed by the speaker of
the house of representatives.

14. Two members who
represent nursing care institutions and who are appointed by the governor.

15. One member who
represents a statewide organization that advocates for elderly vulnerable
adults and who is appointed by the president of the senate.

16. One member who
represents a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of persons
affected by Alzheimer's disease and who is appointed by the president of the
senate.

17. One member who
represents a statewide association that advocates on behalf of persons who
provide services to persons with developmental disabilities and who is
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

18. One health care
professional who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives
and who both:

(
a
) Is
licensed pursuant to title 32, Arizona Revised Statutes.

(
b
) Provides
health care services to elderly vulnerable adults.

19. One member who is on
the governor's advisory council on aging and who is appointed by the governor.

20. One member who
represents a statewide association representing firefighters in this state and
who is appointed by the president of the senate.

B. The vulnerable adult
system study committee shall:

1. Develop and implement a
coordinated vulnerable adult services delivery system that ensures the health
and safety of vulnerable adults.

2. Recommend best practices
relating to responding to and investigating complaints.

3. Research best practices
related to adult protective services at the state, municipality and community
levels.

4. Research and make
recommendations on how the vulnerable adult system can ensure that vulnerable
adults receive services they require after the vulnerable adult system
completes its investigatory duties, including assigning a specific agency with
the responsibility to provide or coordinate case management.

5. Research and identify
common statewide outcomes.

6. Identify best practices
for data collection and data sharing by various entities involved in providing
vulnerable adult services.

7. Review and recommend
changes to the statutes and rules that govern vulnerable adult services.

C. The cochairpersons may
designate work groups to research, study and make recommendations to the study
committee. At least two work groups shall be established to separately address
the needs of persons with developmental disabilities and persons who are
elderly or who have a physical disability, including the training requirements
for persons who are caring for these populations.

D. Once the study committee
establishes a strategic direction, the department of economic security, in
conjunction with the work groups, shall develop an action plan for
implementation.

E. Public members of the
study committee are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses pursuant to
title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.

F. On or before October 1,
2026 and each October 1 thereafter, the study committee shall submit a report
of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the president of the
senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and shall provide a copy
of this report to the secretary of state.

G. This section is repealed
from and after December 31, 2028.