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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
DCS; discharge from care; housing
Purpose
Requires, by January 1, 2026, the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to develop, implement and submit a report on policies and procedures to ensure safe and secure housing for children who leave DCS care.
Background
DCS must make child welfare program and outcome data available on DCS's website in a format that can be downloaded and is conducive to analysis. On a semiannual basis, by September 30 and by March 31 of each year, DCS must make available outlined information, including the number and percentage of children who left DCS custody during the reporting period by reason for leaving care and as categorized by age, ethnicity, number of placements and average length of time in DCS care (A.R.S. § 8-526).
A reason for
leaving care includes: 1) reunification with a parent or primary caretaker;
2) living with another relative; 3) adoption by a relative, foster parent or
another person; 4) age of majority; 5) guardianship by a relative or another
person; 6) transfer to another agency;
7) runaway; or 8) death (A.R.S.
§ 8-501).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, by January 1, 2026, DCS to develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that every child who leaves DCS care is discharged to safe and secure housing.
2. Requires the policies and procedures to specify the actions DCS will take to ensure safe and secure housing for a child who leaves the care of DCS.
3. Requires, by January 1, 2026, DCS to submit a report that outlines the adopted policies and procedures to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of State.
4. Contains a statement of legislative intent.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 8, 2024
KJA/EB/cs