A.R.S. § 36-2979.01: Seriously mentally ill enhanced residential treatment pilot program; stakeholder work group; semiannual implementation updates; enrollment cap; federal approval

(Conditionally Rpld.)

A. Subject to the approval of the centers for medicare and medicaid services, available appropriations and the enrollment cap prescribed in subsection F of this section, the seriously mentally ill enhanced residential treatment pilot program is established for three years from the date that the centers for medicare and medicaid services approve the pilot program consistent with this article. The pilot program operates through and is administered by contractors pursuant to their agreements with the administration under chapter 34, article 1 of this title. The administration shall seek any necessary federal authority to implement the pilot program, including authority under 42 United States Code section 1315 or other applicable federal authority, and shall request approval not later than July 1, 2027. The administration shall begin enrolling eligible individuals not later than one year after receiving federal approval, subject to the available appropriations.

B. The administration shall incorporate the requirements of this article into contractor agreements executed pursuant to sections 36-3410 and 36-3412 and shall require contractors to fulfill the obligations of this article as part of their contractual duties.

C. Through the submission of the first annual report required by section 36-2979.08, the administration shall convene a stakeholder work group that includes individuals who are seriously mentally ill and behavioral health providers, family members, caregivers and guardians of individuals who are seriously mentally ill, counties, tribal nations and community organizations to advise on pilot program design and implementation. Stakeholder input shall specifically address the needs of individuals who require complex medication management, enhanced monitoring and structured support services to promote medication continuity and safety.

D. Until the pilot program is implemented, the administration shall provide semiannual implementation updates to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the chairpersons of the senate and house of representatives health and human services committees, or their successor committees.

E. The administration may implement this article through policy, contract requirements and other administrative mechanisms authorized under sections 36-2903, 36-2904 and 36-3412.

F. Subject to the approval of the centers for medicare and medicaid services and to available appropriations, the administration shall implement the pilot program for up to sixty members statewide. The administration may increase the enrollment cap above sixty members during the pilot program if the administration demonstrates, through data reported pursuant to section 36-2979.08, reduced utilization of high-cost services or cost avoidance in state-funded systems that demonstrates that the pilot program appropriation could sustain members beyond the enrollment cap, subject to available appropriations and review by the joint legislative budget committee.

G. A court may recommend participation in the pilot program but may not compel the administration to exceed the enrollment cap specified in subsection F of this section.