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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session |
Senate: HHS DP 6-0-1-0 | 3rd Read 24-4-2-0 |
SB 1258: foster care review board; continuation
Sponsor: Senator Shope, LD 16
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Continues the Arizona Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) for 4 years and establishes reporting requirements.
History
Established in the Arizona Supreme Court, FCRB was created in 1978 to advise the juvenile court on progress toward achieving a permanent home for children involved in a dependency case and in out-of-home care. FCRB consists of more than 123 local foster care review boards (local boards). FCRB is required to: 1) meet at least twice per year; 2) review and coordinate the activities of local boards; and 3) establish training programs for local board members which must include periodic in-service training. The board provides recommendations to the Arizona Supreme Court, Governor and Legislature regarding foster care statutes, policies and procedures.
A local board is established in each county for every 100 children placed in out-of-home care. The local boards are required to review the case of each child involved in a dependency action and in out-of-home care within six months of placement and every six months thereafter. (A.R.S. §§ 8-515.01; 8-515.03; 8-515.04; and AOC).
The Senate Health and Human Services and House Health & Human Services Committees of Reference met jointly on January 19, 2024, to conduct a review of FCRB. Both Committees of Reference recommended that FCRB be continued for four years (COR Report).
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2024, the FCRB until July 1, 2028. (Sec. 3, 5)
2. Repeals the FCRB on January 1, 2029. (Sec. 3)
3. Requires FCRB to create an annual report that includes:
a) the number of times FCRB failed to submit reports to the juvenile court within a time frame that allows sufficient time for judicial review before a dependency hearing;
b) FCRB's progress in facilitating and increasing parent and foster parent attendance at local board reviews; and
c) the number of times FCRB failed to timely and accurately enter data about child dependency cases and local board reviews into the data system. (Sec. 1)
4.
Requires FCRB to submit the
annual report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House
of Representatives and the chairpersons of the Senate and House of Representatives
Health and Human Services Committees, or their successor committees by November
1 of each year. (Sec. 1)
5. Requires FCRB to submit a copy of the annual report to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 1)
6. Contains a purpose statement. (Sec. 4)
7. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2)
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11. SB 1258
12. Initials AG/MT Page 0 Health & Human Services
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