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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
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HB 2611: group homes; safety; training; rights
Sponsor: Representative Blackman, LD 7
Committee on Government
Overview
Requires the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) to terminate a group foster home employee who received a positive drug screening result. Establishes requirements for employee screening for group foster homes and resident safety policies for juvenile group homes.
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).
DCS must develop and implement policies and procedures to conduct random quarterly drug screening of employees of a group foster home. An employee of a group foster home may not have contact with any child living at the group foster home before an initial drug screening. DCS may conduct random drug screening of any group foster home employee if the employee is involved in an accident or incident in which a child that lives at the group foster home is injured. Group foster homes must submit the results of all random drug screening to DCS within 48-hours after receiving the drug screening results (A.R.S. § 8-530.06).
Provisions
Rights of Children in Foster Care and Kinship Foster Care
1. Entitles a foster child and kinship foster care child to the right to:
a. voluntarily participate in enrichment activities; and
b. be free of bullying or discrimination. (Sec. 1)
2. Specifies that a foster child and kinship foster care child have the right to receive immediate and unbiased medical, dental, vision and mental health services and to be informed about diagnosis and treatment options as is developmentally appropriate. (Sec. 1)
3. Specifies that a foster child and kinship foster care child have the right to be placed with or in close proximity to the child's siblings when possible and to visit and have contact with siblings and family member's when the placement, visitation or contact is in the best interest of the child. (Sec. 1)
Group Foster Homes
4. Requires DCS to terminate a group foster home employee who receives a positive drug screening result from employment with the group foster home. (Sec. 2)
5. Directs DCS to develop and implement rules, policies and procedures in group foster homes that:
a. require comprehensive background checks that include a complete criminal history check, substance use screening and verification of references for all group foster home employees;
b. require mandatory training in trauma-informed care, mental health crisis management and first aid for all group foster home employees;
c. prohibit group foster home employees from carrying weapons or using personal cell phones while the employee is at the group foster home;
d. establish mechanisms for reporting staff misconduct or neglect;
e. require the group foster home to document and verify that a child who is living in a group foster home attends medical and mental health care appointments; and
f. establish reporting and follow-up policies to prevent medical neglect and ensure the continuity of care for group foster home children. (Sec. 4)
Juvenile Group Homes
6. Requires DCS to develop and implement rules, policies and procedures for juvenile group homes that:
a. require minimum security standards for group homes that include security entry and exit, functional locks and monitored common areas;
b. establish trauma-informed safety protocols that prevent grooming and exploitation of and unauthorized exits by the residents;
c. allow unannounced inspections and independent audits by the group home's licensing authority;
d. establish technology policies that limit or monitor telephone use by residents that provide appropriate security through the use of applications and technology; and
e. prohibit group home employees from sharing residents' personal information or schedules. (Sec. 5)
Miscellaneous
7. Includes designated advocates as part of the family and service team for placing a child in a congregate care setting. (Sec. 3)
8. Defines terms. (Sec. 5)
9. Cites this legislation as the Youth Safety, Rights and Mental Health Protection Act. (Sec. 6)
10. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-3)
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14. Initials ML/AG HB 2611
15. 2/15/2026 Page 0 Government
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