Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
department of economic security continuation
Purpose
Continues the Department of Economic Security (Department) for eight years.
Background
The Department was established in 1972 to provide an integrated approach to human services. The Department is administered by a Director who is appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate (A.R.S. § 41-1952) . The Department is separated into seven divisions: the Division of Aging and Adult Services, the Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility, the Division of Child Support Services, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, the Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services, the Arizona Early Intervention Program, and the Division of Community Outreach. The Department is responsible for administrating employment services, individual and family services, income maintenance services, rehabilitation services, administrative services, manpower planning, economic opportunity services, intellectual disability and other developmental disability programs, and nonmedical home and community based services (A.R.S. § 41-1954). The Department is currently set to terminate on July 1, 2018.
In Arizona, each new and existing agency has no more than a ten-year duration and is subject to a sunset review (A.R.S. § 41-2955). The Senate Health and Human Services and House of Representatives Health Committee of Reference (COR) held a public hearing on November 27, 2017, to review the Department’s response to the required sunset factors. The COR recommended an eight-year continuation for the Department.
According to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the Department’s operating budget includes $586,110,300 from the state General Fund, $294,107,700 from other appropriated funds and $3,319,509,600 in other non-appropriated funds in FY 2018.
Provisions
1. Continues the Department retroactively to July 1, 2018, through July 1, 2026.
2. Repeals the Department on January 1, 2027.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
House Action
HEALTH 1/11/18 DP 8-0-0-1
3rd Read 1/29/18 59-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 2, 2018
CRS/NW/lat