Assigned to APPROP                                                                                                        AS PASSED BY COW

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR h.b. 2274

appropriation; stipend; kinship foster care

Purpose

Appropriates $19,811,200 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2023 to the Department of Child Services (DCS) to provide a $300 monthly stipend for each placed child to the relative caretaker, including a grandparent, a member of the child's extended family or a person who has a significant relationship with the child (kinship foster care parent).

Background

DCS is responsible for: 1) investigating reports of child abuse and neglect; 2) coordinating services to maintain permanency on behalf of a child; 3) strengthening the family; and 4) providing prevention, intervention and treatment services (A.R.S. § 8-451).

The placement of a child who is in DCS custody is determined by the best interests of the child and DCS must establish kinship foster care services for a child who has been removed from the child's home. A kinship foster care parent may be eligible to receive the following financial services for the child: 1) full foster care benefits, including payment if the kinship foster care parent becomes a licensed foster care home; and 2) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance payments (A.R.S. § 8-514.03).

H.B. 2274 appropriates $19,811,200 from the state GF in FY 2023 to DCS.

Provisions

1. Appropriates $19,811,200 from the state GF in FY 2023 to DCS to provide a kinship foster care parent with a stipend of $300 per month for each child placed with the foster care parent.

2. Asserts that a kinship foster care parent is not required to file an application to receive the stipend.

3. Declares the Legislature's intent that the appropriation be considered ongoing funding.

4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

1. Reduces the appropriation from $24,200,000 to $19,811,200.

2. Removes the appropriation's exemption from lapsing.

3. Makes a conforming change.

House Action Senate Action

HHS                2/7/22        DP     9-0-0-0                 APPROP         3/22/22      DP          9-0-1

APPROP         2/9/22        DP     11-1-1-0

3^rd Read          2/24/22                 52-7-1

Prepared by Senate Research

July 5, 2022

LMM/sr