|
|
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: HHS DP 12-0-0-0 |
HB 2321: DCS; credit freeze; consumer reporting
Sponsor: Representative Gress, LD 4
House Engrossed
Overview
Requires the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) to place a security freeze on a child's record or credit report within 30 days after a child is adjudicated a dependent child and placed in DCS care. Appropriates $100,000 and one FTE position from the state General Fund (GF) to DCS to assist with placing and removing security freezes for children in DCS custody.
History
The primary purpose of DCS is to protect children. To achieve this, DCS will do and focus equally on: 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 and neglect; 3) cooperating with law enforcement regarding reports that include allegations of criminal conduct; and 4) coordinating services to achieve and maintain permanency for the child, strengthen the family and provide prevention, intervention and treatment services without compromising the child's safety (A.R.S. § 8-451).
A consumer reporting agency must place a security freeze on a protected person's record or credit report if certain conditions are met. A security freeze that is placed on a protected person's record or credit report remains in effect until either: 1) the protected person or the protected person's representative requests that the consumer reporting agency remove the security freeze; or 2) the security freeze is removed if the security freeze was placed or the record was created based on a material representation of fact by the protected person or their representative.
Currently, a protected person is considered any individual who is under 16 years old at the time a request for the placement of a security freeze is made or an incapacitated person or protected person for whom a guardian or conservator has been appointed (A.R.S. § 44-1698.02)
Provisions
1. Requires DCS to place a security freeze on a child's record or credit report within 30 days after a child is adjudicated a dependent child and placed in DCS care. (Sec. 1)
2. Mandates the freeze stay on the child's record or credit report until they reach 16 years of age. (Sec. 1)
3. Allows the child to elect to have the security freeze remain or removed. (Sec. 1)
4. Requires DCS to notify the parent or guardian of a child when the security freeze has been placed on the child's record or credit report and notify the child's parent or guardian that the freeze remains on their report when the child leaves the custody of DCS. (Sec. 1)
5. Updates the definition of a protected person as it relates to credit security freezes for consumer reporting agencies to include children who are in the care of DCS. (Sec. 2)
6. Appropriates $100,000 and one FTE position from the state General Fund to DCS to assist with placing and removing credit report security freezes for dependent children who are in DCS care to assist with any credit fraud issues. (Sec. 3)
7. Declares the Legislature intends that the funding for the one FTE position be considered ongoing in future years. (Sec. 3)
8. Defines terms. (Sec. 1)
9. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 2)
10.
11.
12. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------
13. Initials AG HB 2321
14. 1/27/2026 Page 0 House Engrossed
15.
16. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------