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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
appropriations; direct services; referrals.
Purpose
Appropriates $1,500,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2021 and FY 2022 to the Department of Health Services (DHS) for a family health pilot program. Appropriates $1,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2021 to the Department of Economic Security (DES) for a statewide information and referral service.
Background
DHS
is responsible for promoting, protecting and improving the health and wellness
of individuals and communities in Arizona. Currently, DHS operates programs in
the following areas: 1) disease prevention and control; 2) health promotion; 3)
community public health;
4) environmental health; 5) maternal and child health; 6) emergency
preparedness; 7) emergency services; and 8) the regulation of childcare
centers, assisted living centers, nursing homes, hospitals and other health
care providers and institutions.
In 2000, the Federal
Communications Commission designated 2-1-1 as a three-digit telephone
information and referral system. The 2-1-1 provides information and referrals
to various health and human services resources in the community, including: 1)
food and clothing banks;
2) shelters; 3) physical and mental health resources; 4) work support; 5)
children, youth and family support; and 6) rent and utility assistance (FCC).
S.B. 1328 appropriates $1,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2021 and FY 2022 to DHS. S.B. 1328 appropriates $1,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2021 to DES.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $1,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2021 and FY 2022 to DHS for a family health pilot program.
2. Requires DHS to distribute the monies to a nonprofit organization to implement a statewide system that provides direct services, support services, social services case management and referrals to the biological or adoptive parents of a child under the age of two, including an unborn child.
3. States that the purpose of the statewide system is to encourage healthy childbirth, support childbirth as an alternative to abortion, promote family formation, aid successful parenting and increase families' economic self-sufficiency.
4. Requires the statewide system services to be available to all residents of Arizona.
5. Prohibits the monies from being used for abortion referral services or distributed to entities that promote, refer or perform abortions.
6. Requires the selected nonprofit organization to demonstrate experience in marketing and serving the eligible population and that the organization can begin serving clients statewide within 60 days of receiving monies.
7. Appropriates $1,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2021 to DES for a statewide information and referral service for health care services, community services, human services and governmental services.
8. Allows DES to provide the statewide information and referral service directly or contract with a private entity.
9. Requires the selected private entity to employ 2-1-1 three-digit dialing access and be accredited through a national alliance relating to information and referral systems.
10. Prohibits the statewide information and referral service from:
a) including information or referrals for abortions;
b) making referrals to any entity that provides, pays for or provides coverage for abortions; and
c) financially supporting any entity that provides, pays for or provides coverage for abortions.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 30, 2020
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