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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
DCS caseworkers; investigations; child photographs
Purpose
Effective January 1, 2027, requires a Department of Child Safety (DCS) caseworker to photograph a child who is the subject of an investigation of alleged abuse or neglect each time the caseworker interacts with the child and to review all photographs of the child to consider any decline in the child's appearance or health.
Background
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 (A.R.S. § 8-451).The DCS Program Policy Manual requires photographs to be taken of any child who presents with visible injuries or indicators of abuse or neglect. It is preferred that the child's photograph be taken by law enforcement, a child advocacy center or a medical professional, though a caseworker may take the photographs if none of those personnel are available. Photographs of the child can be taken without permission of the parent, guardian or custodian (DCS).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a DCS caseworker to photograph a child and maintain the photograph in the child's case file each time the caseworker interacts with the child, if the child is the subject of an investigation for an allegation of abuse or neglect.
2. Requires the DCS caseworker to review all photographs of the child and consider any decline in the child's appearance or health.
3. Becomes effective on January 1, 2027.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 23, 2026
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