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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
Senate: HHS DP 7-0-0-0 | Third Read 28-1-1-0-0 |
SB 1172: DCS; intake hotline; multiple reports
Sponsor: Senator Werner, LD 4
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Directs the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to assign investigations involving four or more reports of abuse or neglect in a 12-month period to senior personnel and to notify the dependency court of DCS hotline reports involving children subject to a dependency action.
History
DCS is required to train all investigators in forensic interviewing, processes and protocols for initial screening, safety assessments and investigations. After receiving a report through DCS's centralized intake hotline, an investigator is required to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation. An investigation must evaluate and determine the nature, extent and cause of any condition created by the parents, guardian, custodian or an adult member of the victim's household or child welfare employee that would tend to support or refute the allegation that the child is a victim of abuse or neglect and determine the name, age and condition of other children in the home. If an investigator has sufficient information to determine that the child is not a victim of abuse or neglect, the investigator may close the investigation. DCS can also take a child into temporary custody. Law enforcement officers must cooperate with DCS to remove a child from the custody of the child's parents, guardian or custodian when necessary (A.R.S. § 8-456).
Provisions
1. Requires DCS, after receiving four or more reports of abuse or neglect in less than 12 months regarding the same caregiver, to assign the investigation to a child safety specialist with at least two years of experience or, if available, a specialist with advanced forensic training. (Sec. 1)
2. Directs DCS to disclose a hotline call that alleges abuse or neglect of a child who is the subject of a dependency action to the court that has jurisdiction over the child's dependency action. (Sec. 1)
3. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)
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7. Initials AG/TM SB 1172
8. 3/10/2026 Page 0 Health & Human Services
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