ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: HHS DP 8-1-0-1 | 3^rd Read 45-12-2-0-1

Senate: HHS DPA 5-2-0-0 | 3^rd Read 22-8-0-0

Final Pass: 51-7-2-0

HB 2447: department of child safety; continuation

Sponsor: Representative Montenegro, LD 29

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Continues the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) for 4 years and establishes reporting requirements. Requires DCS to verify if a mother is a qualifying medical cannabis patient and possess a valid registry identification card if suspected conduct occurs, as outlined.

History

DCS was established to protect the children of Arizona by: 1) investigating reports of abuse and neglect; 2) assessing, promoting and supporting the safety of a child in a safe and stable family or other appropriate placement in response to allegations of abuse or neglect; 3) working cooperatively with law enforcement regarding reports that include criminal conduct allegations; and 4) without compromising child safety, coordinating services to achieve and maintain permanency on behalf of the child, strengthen the family and provide prevention, intervention and treatment services. DCS is overseen by a director appointed by the Governor who must have administrative experience in family support services, the protection of children from maltreatment and possess qualifications that enable them to manage the affairs of DCS (A.R.S. §§ 8-451 and 8-452).

The Senate Health and Human Services and House Health & Human Services Committees of Reference met jointly on January 3, 2024, to conduct a review of DCS. Both Committees of Reference recommended DCS be continued for four years.

Provisions

1. Directs DCS to verify if a mother is a qualifying medical cannabis patient and possesses a valid registry identification card, if:

a) DCS suspects the mother of engaging in neglect; and

b) a health professional determines that the mother's newborn infant was exposed prenatally to cannabis. (Sec. 2)

2. Requires the DCS Inspections Bureau to issue a report that clearly states the justification for any proposed change in a standardized hotline assessment tool that is not a result of legislative action or an adopted administrative rule. (Sec. 3)

3. Requires the DCS Inspection Bureau report to be submitted to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on DCS at least 30 days before the proposed change in a standardized hotline assessment tool is implemented. (Sec. 3)

4. Directs DCS, before implementing a child placement rate increase for child welfare agencies or group homes to submit the rate increase to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) for review. (Sec. 4)

5. Specifies that the DCS child placement rate increase must be submitted to JLBC at least 90 days before the proposed rate increase is to take effect. (Sec. 4)

6. Removes the requirement that legislators and legislative staff sign a form outlining confidentiality laws and penalties for further release of DCS information before:

a) requesting access to DCS information; or

b) the legislator discusses DCS information requested in the regular course of duty with another legislator. (Sec. 5)

7. Instructs DCS, by November 1, 2024, to submit to JLBC a report that includes:

a) all requests for a child placement rate increase for child welfare agencies and group homes received as of January 1, 2023; and

b) DCS's justification for approving or denying a requested increase. (Sec. 8)

8. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2024, DCS until July 1, 2028. (Sec. 7, 10)