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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
DCS; legislator briefings; staff member
Purpose
Permits a legislative staff member to accompany a legislator when reviewing a Department of Child Safety (DCS) case file.
Background
Established in 2014, DCS's primary purpose is to protect children through investigation, assessment and support for the safety of children from abuse, neglect and other criminal conduct allegations. DCS is required to coordinate services to achieve and maintain permanency on behalf of the child, strengthen the family and provide prevention, intervention and treatment services without compromising child safety (A.R.S. § 8-451).
Current statute requires that DCS provide access to case information to specified individuals if the information is pertinent to perform the person's official duties. Specifically, DCS information must be provided to legislative committees for the purpose of conducting legislative oversight of DCS and to individual legislators who request such information in the regular course of their duties. Members of the legislature wishing to access DCS case information must submit a request to the presiding officer of the legislative body of which they are a member and the presiding officer must forward the request to DCS within five days. Once DCS receives the request, arrangements must be made for the legislator to review the information at a DCS office within 10 business days (A.R.S. § 8-807).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows the presiding officer of a legislative body to authorize a legislative staff member to attend a meeting to review a DCS case file with a legislator.
2. Makes a conforming change.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 25, 2021
CRS/kja