ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session

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HB 2314: foster homes; inactive licenses.

Sponsor: Representative Jones, LD 17

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Enables a foster home licensee with an active license that has not been previously revoked to request an inactive license from the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS). Omits foster home inactive licensees from eligibility for child placement and exempts them from renewal fees, training and visitation requirements that apply to active licensees.

History

DCS must establish rules, regulations and standards for:

1) licensing of child welfare agencies;

2) licensing of foster homes;

3) classifications of foster homes;

4) certifying each foster home according to one or more of the specified categories;

5) initial and ongoing foster parent training programs;

6) the method of approving foster parent training programs;

7) uniform amounts of payment for all foster homes according to certification. However, variations in uniform amounts of payments may be allowed for foster homes based on consideration of geographical location, age or mental or physical condition of a foster child;

8) renewal of licenses of child welfare agencies and foster homes; and

9) form and content of investigations, reports and studies concerning disposition of children and foster home placement (A.R.S. § 8-503).

DCS licenses for foster homes are valid for a period of two years. DCS must have satisfactory proof that the foster parent(s) have completed six actual hours of approved initial foster parent training and that each foster parent and each other adult member of the household has a valid fingerprint clearance card issued before issuing a license.

DCS cannot renew a license without satisfactory proof that the foster parent(s) have completed 12 actual hours of approved ongoing foster parent training during the two-year period of licensure (A.R.S. § 8-509).

Provisions

1. Allows a foster home licensee with an active license that has not been previously revoked to request an inactive license from DCS. (Sec. 1)

2. Excludes a foster home licensee with an inactive license from eligibility for placement of a child and being subject to renewal fees, training and visitation requirements that apply to foster home licensees with an active license. (Sec. 1)

3. Asserts that an inactive license is valid for a period of five years and that the holder of an inactive license can apply to reactivate the license at any time during the five-year inactive period in the same manner as the active license renewal. (Sec. 1)

4. States that DCS can terminate the license of a licensee who holds an inactive license and does not reactivate the license by noon of the expiration date listed on the inactive license. (Sec. 1)

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                  HB 2314

Initials AG/KM      Page 0 Health & Human Services

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