Arizona § 31-161 - Inmate health care; costs
Full text of Arizona Arizona Revised Statutes § 31-161 — Inmate health care; costs, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-161. Inmate health care; costs
A. Subject to the approval of the county board of supervisors or the board of directors of a county jail district, the sheriff may charge each inmate who is committed to jail by competent authority a reasonable fee or copayment of not more than ten dollars for each inmate initiated health service that is provided, for each medical visit to a physician that is referred by a physician, a physician assistant or nurse practitioner or for prescription drugs that a county jail health services agency dispenses to an inmate. An inmate shall not be refused health services for financial reasons.
B. If the sheriff is not prohibited from charging a health care services fee or a copayment at the time the service is provided or prescription dispensed as provided in subsection D of this section, the sheriff may maintain a negative balance on an inmate's personal account against which future collections may be made.
C. All fees or copayments for health services that the county collects shall be deposited in the inmate health services fund established by section 31-162.
D. Notwithstanding section 11-291, each county sheriff for the purposes of collecting fees or copayments under this section from inmates under the sheriff's jurisdiction may charge a fee authorized under subsection A of this section except the sheriff shall not charge an inmate a health care services fee or copayment if the inmate maintains a balance in the inmate's personal account of less than ten dollars for thirty consecutive days.
E. A sheriff may exempt inmates with certain medical conditions from the payment of health care services fees or copayments.
Source: official Arizona text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona § 31-161
What does Arizona Revised Statutes § 31-161 cover?
Section 31-161 ("Inmate health care; costs") is part of the Arizona Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Arizona. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Arizona § 31-161?
A common citation format is "Arizona Revised Statutes § 31-161" (Arizona). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Arizona law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Arizona official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Arizona attorney.
How does Arizona § 31-161 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Arizona can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Arizona.