Assigned to APPROP &                                                                                                                    AS ENACTED

 

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session

 

ENACTED

 

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1528/H.B. 2661

 

human services; budget reconciliation; 2018-2019

 

Purpose

 

Makes statutory and session law changes relating to human services necessary to implement the FY 2019 state budget.

 

Background

 

The Arizona Constitution prohibits substantive law from being included in the general appropriations, capital outlay appropriations and supplemental appropriations bills. However, it is often necessary to make statutory and session law changes to effectuate the budget. Thus, separate bills called budget reconciliation bills (BRBs) are introduced to enact these provisions. Because BRBs contain substantive law changes, the Arizona Constitution provides that they become effective on the general effective date, unless an emergency clause is enacted.

 

S.B. 1528/H.B. 2661 contains the budget reconciliation provisions for changes relating to human services.

 

Provisions

 

Department of Economic Security (DES)

 

1.      Continues to allow DES to reduce the maximum income eligibility levels for child care assistance in FY 2019.

 

2.      Requires DES to notify the JLBC of any change in maximum income eligibility levels for child care assistance within 15 days after implementing the change.

 

3.      Allows DES to use the monies appropriated to the Special Administration Fund in FY 2019 for adult services and domestic violence prevention.

 

4.      Allows DES to use the monies appropriated to the Spinal and Head Injuries Trust Fund in FY 2019 for the Arizona Early Intervention Program.

 

5.      Continues to require DES, during FY 2019, to screen and test each adult recipient who is otherwise eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits and who DES has reasonable cause to believe engages in the illegal use of controlled substances.

 

6.      Deems any TANF recipient who tests positive for the use of a non-prescribed controlled substance ineligible to receive benefits for one year.

 

Department of Child Safety (DCS)

 

7.      Requires the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board (First Things First) and DCS to submit a joint report to the JLBC by February 1, 2019, on collaborative efforts to address child welfare issues of common concern.

 

8.      Requires the report to include information about the level of collaboration among DCS, First Things First and community groups to promote the well-being of children and families that are identified in reports of abuse or neglect.

 

9.      Requires the Auditor General report regarding DCS to include the difference in caseworker caseloads between DCS field offices.

 

10.  Extends the deadline for the report from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2020.

 

Miscellaneous

 

11.  Makes technical changes.

 

12.  Becomes effective on the general effective date.

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

 

1.      Outlines an additional reporting requirement for the Auditor General report regarding DCS.

 

2.      Extends the deadline for the report.

 

3.      Makes technical changes.

 

Senate Action                                                             House Action

 

APPROP         5/01/18     DP     6-4-0                        APPROP         5/01/18     DP     7-5-0-2

3rd Read          5/02/18               16-13-1                     3rd Read          5/03/18               33-26-1

(S.B. 1528 was substituted for H.B. 2661

on 3rd Read)

 

Signed by the Governor on 5/3/18

Chapter 282

 

Prepared by Senate Research

May 7, 2018

CRS/JN/lb