PHOENIX — Attorney General Kris Mayes announced a settlement with Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. and its Arizona-based subsidiary, Sierra Tucson, L.L.C., after a public enforcement lawsuit alleged violations of the Arizonans with Disabilities Act (AzDA).
The lawsuit claimed Sierra Tucson failed to provide effective communication to a hard-of-hearing patient during her inpatient residential treatment, violating Arizona law, which requires public accommodations to ensure equal access to goods and services for individuals with disabilities.
“There are over 500,000 Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals living in Arizona,” said Mayes. “A person seeking inpatient behavioral health services is particularly vulnerable. Arizona businesses must make necessary modifications to their services to ensure all Arizonans are treated equally, regardless of hearing ability.”
Sierra Tucson, which offers inpatient behavioral health treatment in Tucson, faced allegations from a former patient who filed a discrimination complaint in 2021. She alleged that during her one-month stay, the facility did not provide effective communication, limiting her ability to participate fully in treatment.
Settlement Terms
Under the terms of the Consent Decree, Sierra Tucson has agreed to:
- Pay $149,522.75 to the former patient, plus her attorney’s fees
- Pay a $5,000 civil penalty to the State of Arizona
- Update policies to ensure effective communication for all patients with disabilities
- Provide training to staff on auxiliary aids and services
- Undergo three years of compliance monitoring by the Civil Rights Division
The case was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Chris Carlsen, Ryan Bishop, and Natalie Trouard, with Civil Rights Division Compliance Officer Alisha Kram leading the investigation.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division enforces state civil rights laws, raises public awareness, and provides dispute resolution services. Individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, or voting can contact the division at (602) 542-5263 or submit a complaint at www.azag.gov/complaints/civil-rights.
