Senate Engrossed

 

DCS; discharge from care; housing

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

 

 

 

SENATE BILL 1313

 

 

 

 

An Act

 

amending title 8, chapter 4, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 8-530.06; relating to child welfare and placement.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 8, chapter 4, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 8-530.06, to read:

START_STATUTE8-530.06. Leaving care of the department; safe and stable housing; report; definition

A. On or before DECEMBER 31, 2025, the department shall develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that every young adult who leaves the care of the department and who has not achieved permanency through reunification, adoption or guardianship has access to safe and secure housing.  The policies and procedures must specify the actions the department will take to ensure safe and secure housing for a young adult who leaves the care of the department and who has not achieved permanency through reunification, adoption or guardianship.

B. On or BEFORE December 31, 2025, the department shall submit a report that outlines the adopted policies and procedures to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

C. For the purposes of this section, "young adult" means a person who is under twenty-one years of age and who is exiting or who has exited the custody of the department at eighteen years of age. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Legislative intent

The Legislature intends that all young adults have access to safe and secure housing after leaving the care of the department of child safety.