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Senate Engrossed |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session 2020
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SENATE BILL 1323 |
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AN ACT
amending section 8‑514.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by laws 2018, chapter 110, section 2; repealing section 8‑514.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by laws 2018, chapter 153, section 3; relating to child welfare and placement.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Section 8-514.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by Laws 2018, chapter 110, section 2, is amended to read:
8-514.03. Kinship foster care; requirements; investigation
A. The department shall establish kinship foster care services for a child who has been removed from the child's home and is in the custody of the department. The program shall promote the placement of the child with the child's relative or a person with a significant relationship with the child for kinship foster care.
B. A kinship foster care parent applicant who is not a licensed foster care parent shall be at least eighteen years of age. The applicant and each member of the applicant's household who is at least eighteen years of age shall submit a full set of fingerprints to the department of child safety for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check pursuant to section 41‑1750 and Public Law 92‑544. The department of public safety may exchange this fingerprint data with the federal bureau of investigation. The department of child safety shall determine if the applicant is able to meet the child's health and safety needs by conducting one or more home visits and interviewing the applicant. The department of child safety may interview other household members, review the applicant's personal and professional references and conduct department of child safety central registry checks.
C. If the department determines that a kinship foster care placement is not in the best interest of the child, the department shall provide written notification to the applicant within fifteen business days. The notice shall include the specific reason for denial, the applicant's right to appeal and the process for reviewing the decision.
D. A kinship foster care parent may be is eligible to receive the following financial services for the child:
1. full foster care benefits, including payment if the kinship foster care parent becomes a licensed foster care home.
2. Temporary assistance for needy families cash assistance payments for a child only case and supplemental financial support.
E. The department shall establish procedures for child welfare workers to inform each kinship foster care families family that is not licensed as a foster home about available financial and nonfinancial services and eligibility requirements and shall assist the families family in completing the any necessary application.
F. If a family declines to apply for financial services Before the department places a child with a kinship foster care family that is not licensed as a foster home, the family shall sign a statement indicating that the family declined or accepted financial services. The A statement declining services does not prevent the family from making application in the future. The child welfare worker shall provide a copy of the statement to the family.
G. If the kinship foster care parent accepts financial services, the department of economic security shall determine immediately the eligibility of the dependent child for temporary assistance for needy families for a child only case under title 46 and provide benefits if the child qualifies.
G. H. The department shall provide nonfinancial services for a kinship foster care parent through existing means or referral. Nonfinancial services may include:
1. Family assessment.
2. Case management.
3. Child day care.
4. Housing search and relocation.
5. Parenting skills training.
6. Supportive intervention and guidance counseling.
7. Transportation.
8. Emergency services.
9. Parent aid services.
10. Respite services.
11. Additional services that the department determines are necessary to meet the needs of the child and family.
Sec. 2. Repeal
Section 8-514.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by Laws 2018, chapter 153, section 3, is repealed.