SB 1622

REFERENCE TITLE: behavioral health technicians; definition; duties
State of Arizona
Senate
Fifty-seventh Legislature
Second Regular Session
2026
SB 1622
Introduced by
Senator
  Gowan
AN
ACT
Amending title 36, chapter 4, Arizona
Revised Statutes, by adding article 4.1; 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. Title 36, chapter 4, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding article 4.1, to read:
ARTICLE 4.1. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
TECHNICIANS
START_STATUTE36-444. Definition of behavioral health technician
In this article, unless the context otherwise
requires, "behavioral health technician":
1. Means an individual to whom all of
the following apply:
(a) Is employed
by a behavioral health facility that is a licensed health care institution
pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Provides
behavioral health services under the supervision and clinical oversight of a
licensed behavioral health professional.
(c) Performs
only delegated clinical and supportive functions consistent with the
individual's demonstrated training and competence and the employing behavioral
health facility's policies and procedures.
2. Includes a registered nurse who is
licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15, who is acting within the registered
nurse's scope of practice and who performs the functions of a behavioral health
technician. END_STATUTE
START_STATUTE36-444.01. Qualifications; standards
A. A behavioral health technician
shall:
1. Be at least eighteen years of age.
2. Possess a minimum of a high school
diploma or the equivalent.
3. Successfully complete any required
background checks.
B. Before providing supervised direct
services, a behavioral health technician shall complete training that
addresses:
1. Behavioral health system
orientation.
2. Confidentiality and compliance.
3. Professional boundaries and
ethics.
4. Crisis response and de-escalation
techniques and skills.
5. Trauma-informed and recovery-oriented
care.
C. A behavioral health facility may
adopt internal standards for behavioral health technicians that exceed
statutory minimums. The employing behavioral health facility shall
provide ongoing training that the behavioral health facility requires or that
is required by law. END_STATUTE
START_STATUTE36-444.02. Duties
A. A behavioral health technician may
provide services consistent with the individual's training, delegation and
supervision, including:
1. Implementing client treatment,
service or recovery plans.
2. Providing skills training and
supportive counseling to support behavioral, emotional and recovery-oriented
functioning of clients.
3. Assisting with client self-administration
of medication as authorized by law or within an applicable scope of practice.
4. Completing documentation and
clerical activities related to client care.
5. Contributing to client assessments
and service planning, including:
(a) Interviewing
and recording client history, current status and desired goals.
(b) Gathering
and recording collateral and supportive documentation to assist in developing
the service plan.
(c) Recording
strengths, needs, abilities and preferences into a service plan.
6. Providing education regarding
treatment options and community resources.
7. Submitting allowable billing
consistent with payer requirements.
8. Supporting mobile crisis teams and
their interventions, including engagement, de-escalation, safety
planning, follow-up coordination, collection of collateral information
and assistance with assessment activities.
9. Providing client transportation,
meal preparation and daily living supports consistent with treatment goals.
10. Scheduling client appointments
and providing case management support activities.
11. Monitoring and documenting vital
signs of clients and other health indicators for which the behavioral health
technician has received appropriate training and authorization.
12. Other supportive or
rehabilitative services consistent with the individual's training and
supervision and the employing behavioral health facility's license.
B. This section does not authorize
any behavioral health technician to diagnose medical or behavioral health
conditions, prescribe medications or provide services beyond those delegated to
the behavioral health technician and supervised by a licensed behavioral health
professional. END_STATUTE