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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
DHS; continuation
Purpose
Continues the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) for eight years.
Background
DHS
provides and coordinates public health services and programs for Arizona.
Responsibilities of DHS include: 1) protecting and improving public health; 2)
implementing prevention and control programs for diseases and disabilities; 3)
licensing and regulating health care institutions, child care facilities and
various health care providers; 4) providing personnel and administrative
services such as budgeting, information systems and facilities management for
the agency; 5) administering radiation control programs; 6) operating the
Arizona State Hospital;
7) overseeing the state laboratory; 8) administering a statewide system of
emergency medical services, trauma care and a trauma registry; 9) collecting
and maintaining vital records, including birth and death certificates; and 10)
publishing public health statistics on a variety of public health measures and
trends (A.R.S. §§ 36-104
and 36-132).
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting on November 7, 2019, to review the performance audit report prepared by the Office of the Auditor General, to evaluate DHS's response to the sunset review factors and to receive public testimony. The COR recommended that the Legislature continue DHS for eight years (COR final report). DHS terminates on July 1, 2020, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. § 41-3020.19).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2020, DHS until July 1, 2028.
2. Repeals DHS on January 1, 2029.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 13, 2020
CRS/AB/kja