REFERENCE TITLE: adult protective services; audit; appropriation

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2020

HB 2549

Introduced by

Representatives Dunn: Cobb, Jermaine, Longdon, Nutt, Pawlik, Peten, Sierra, Teller, Tsosie

AN ACT

Requiring an external review of adult protective services; appropriating monies.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. External review and recommendations; adult protective services

A.  The auditor general shall engage an independent consultant with expertise in adult protective services operations and investigations to examine the current adult protective services and consider best practices to improve the delivery of services in this state, including all of the following:

1.  Developing a strategic direction that ensures the safety of vulnerable adults and establishes protocols for services after an investigation.

2.  Creating accountability mechanisms, including the capacity to produce accurate data on performance and outcome measures, use of the data for performance management, processes for continuous quality review, mechanisms for qualitative review of system functioning and outcomes for vulnerable adults.

3.  Strategies for community engagement, including engagement with families, vulnerable adults and service providers.

4.  The need for and frequency of regular, periodic performance evaluations and the recommended areas for future reviews of adult protective services by an independent outside evaluator.

B.  The auditor general shall consider, in its decision to enter into a contract with an independent consultant, the consultant's history of working with states or counties in evaluating its operations for adult protective services, the satisfaction of the states or counties with the work of the consultant, the knowledge of the consultant's staff or contractors in adult protective services reform and operations, the consultant's knowledge of related laws governing adult protective services and the consultant's knowledge of evidence‑based and promising best practices in adult protective services.

C.  On or before July 1, 2021, the consultant shall submit a report of its work, including findings and recommendations, to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the chairperson of the house ad hoc committee on abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults and shall provide a copy of its report to the secretary of state.

Sec. 2. Appropriation; auditor general; exemption

A.  The sum of $300,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2020‑2021 to the auditor general for the purposes of this act.

B.  The monies appropriated pursuant to subsection A of this section are exempt from the provisions of section 35‑190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.