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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
DCS; transfer; DES
Purpose
Dissolves the Department of Child Safety (DCS) and transfers all related oversight, duties and responsibilities to the Department of Economic Security (DES).
Background
Laws 2014, Second Special Session, Chapter 1 established DCS to protect the children of Arizona by: 1) investigating reports of abuse and neglect; 2) assessing, promoting and supporting the safety of a child in a safe and stable family or other appropriate placement in response to allegations of abuse or neglect; 3) working cooperatively with law enforcement regarding reports that include criminal conduct allegations; and 4) without compromising child safety, coordinating services to achieve and maintain permanency on behalf of the child, strengthen the family and provide prevention, intervention and treatment services. DCS is overseen by the Director, who is appointed by the Governor and must have administrative experience in family support services, the protection of children from maltreatment and possess qualifications that enable them to manage the affairs of DCS (A.R.S. §§ 8-451 and 8-452).
DES was established to provide an integrated approach to human services in Arizona. DES is administered by a Director who is appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate and is separated into nine divisions: 1) the Division of Aging and Adult Services; 2) the Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility; 3) the Division of Child Support Services; 4) the Division of Developmental Disabilities; 5) the Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services; 6) the Child and Community Services Division; 7) the Division of Technology Services; 8) the Division of Business Services; and 9) the Division of Financial Operations. DES is responsible for administering employment services, individual and family services, income maintenance services, rehabilitation services, administrative services, manpower planning, economic opportunity services, intellectual disability and other developmental disability programs, and nonmedical home and community based services for Arizonans (A.R.S §§ 41-1952 and 41-1954; DES).
If there is a cost associated with the transfer of DCS authorities, powers, duties and responsibilities to DES, there may be a fiscal impact to the state General Fund.
Provisions
1. Repeals DCS.
2. Transfers all DCS authorities, powers, duties and responsibilities to DES under the Division of Child Safety.
3. Specifies that S.B. 1492 does not alter the effect of any actions taken or impair the valid obligations of DCS in existence before the general effective date.
4. Continues the effect of any administrative rules or orders that were adopted by DCS until superseded by administrative action of DES.
5. Specifies that all administrative matters, contracts and judicial and quasi-judicial actions of DCS, whether completed, pending or in process on the general effective date, are transferred to DES and retain the same status.
6. Retains the validity of all certificates, licenses, registrations, permits and other qualifications issued by DCS for the duration of their terms.
7. Transfers any of the following that remain unexpended and unencumbered on the general effective date from DCS to DES:
a) equipment;
b) records;
c) furnishings and other property;
d) data and investigative findings; and
e) obligations and appropriated monies.
8. Transfers all personnel under the state personnel system who are employed by DCS to comparable positions and pay classifications in the respective administrative units of DES.
9.
Requires Legislative Council Staff to prepare proposed conforming
legislation in the
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session.
10. Makes technical and conforming changes.
11. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
March 3, 2025
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