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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
DCS; discharge from care; housing
Purpose
Requires, by January 1, 2026, the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to develop, implement and submit a report on policies and procedures to ensure access to safe and secure housing for young adults who leave DCS care and have not achieved permanency.
Background
DCS must make child welfare program and outcome data available on DCS's website in a format that can be downloaded and is conducive to analysis. By September 30 and by March 31 of each year, DCS must make available outlined information, including the number and percentage of children who left DCS custody during the reporting period by reason for leaving care and as categorized by age, ethnicity, number of placements and average length of time in DCS care (A.R.S. § 8-526).
A reason for
leaving care is: 1) reunification with a parent or primary caretaker; 2)
living with another relative; 3) adoption by a relative, foster parent or
another person; 4) age of majority; 5) guardianship by a relative or another
person; 6) transfer to another agency; 7) runaway; or
8) death (A.R.S.
§ 8-501).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, by January 1, 2026, DCS to develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that every young adult who leaves DCS care and has not achieved permanency through reunification, adoption or guardianship has access to safe and secure housing.
2. Requires the policies and procedures to specify the actions DCS will take to ensure access to safe and secure housing.
3. Requires, by January 1, 2026, DCS to submit a report that outlines the adopted policies and procedures to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of State.
4. Defines young adult as a person who is under 21 years old and is exiting or has exited the custody of DCS at 18 years old.
5. Contains a statement of legislative intent.
6. Makes conforming changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Applies the prescribed policies and procedures to young adults who leave DCS care and have not achieved permanency through reunification, adoption or guardianship, rather than children who leave DCS care.
2. Specifies that the policies and procedures are to ensure access to safe and secure housing, rather than ensure safe and secure housing.
3. Modifies the statement of legislative intent.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Defines young adult.
2. Makes conforming changes.
Senate Action
TTMC 2/15/24 DPA 5-0-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 11, 2024
KJA/EB/slp