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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
DCS;
credit freeze; consumer reporting
(NOW: DCS; credit freeze; reporting)
Purpose
Requires the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to place a security freeze on a child's record or credit report within 30 days after the child is placed in the care of DCS.
Background
DCS is responsible for protecting the children of the state 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. When a child is in DCS custody, DCS is responsible for: 1) providing notice to a parent or guardian; 2) holding a preliminary protective hearing, dependency hearings and permanency hearings; 3) identifying and notifying adult relatives and persons with a significant relationship with the child; and 4) finding someone to manage or managing federal benefits for the child (A.R.S. Title 8, Chapter 4).
A consumer reporting agency must place a security freeze on a protected person's record or credit report if the consumer reporting agency receives a request from the protected person's representative for a security freeze and the representative submits the request and provides sufficient proof of identification and authority as outlined by statute. A security freeze that is placed on a protected person's record or credit report remains in effect until the protected person or the protected person's representative submits a request for removal of the security freeze as outlined by statute. A protected person is an individual who is under 16 years of age when a request 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).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires DCS, within 30 days after a child is adjudicated a dependent child and placed in DCS care, to place a security freeze on the child's record or credit report.
2. Requires a security freeze that is placed on a child's record or credit report to remain in effect until the child reaches 16 years of age.
3. Allows the child to elect to have the security freeze remain or removed when the child reaches 16 years of age.
4. Requires DCS to notify the parent or guardian of a child when a security freeze has been placed on the child's record or credit report and that a security freeze remains on the child's record or credit report when the child leaves the custody of DCS.
5. Requires the notification to include information on the process for removing the security freeze when the child leave the care of DCS.
6. Adds, to the definition of a protected person, a child who is in the care of DCS.
7. Makes technical and conforming changes.
8. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
· Removes the $100,000 appropriation from the state General Fund to DCS in FY 2027 for purposes relating to credit freezes for dependent children.
House Action Senate Action
HHS 2/2/26 DP 12-0-0-0 FFL 3/23/26 DP 7-0-0
3rd Read 3/9/26 52-0-7-0-1 ATT 3/31/26 DP 10-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
June 11, 2026
AN/ ci