ARIZONA STATE SENATE

JACKSON PITTS

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH INTERN

LIAM MAHER

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Telephone: (602) 926-3171

RESEARCH STAFF

TO:                  MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

DATE:            March 28, 2025

SUBJECT:      Strike everything amendment to H.B. 2172, relating to DCS; appropriation

Purpose

Requires the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to develop and maintain a webpage for group home training programs and resources relating to child sex trafficking. Appropriates $100,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2026 to DCS to develop and maintain a webpage for group home training programs.

Background

DCS primary purpose is to protect children and must: 1) investigate and report abuse and neglect; 2) assess, promote and support the safety of a child in a safe and stable family or other appropriate placement in response to abuse and neglect; 3) work cooperatively with law enforcement regarding reports that include criminal conduct allegations; and 4) without compromising child safety, coordinate services to achieve and maintain permanency on behalf of the child, strengthen the family and provide prevention, intervention and treatment services (A.R.S § 8-451).

A group foster home is a licensed regular or special foster home that is suitable for placement of more than five minor children but not more than 10 minor children (A.R.S § 8-501). DCS is responsible for establishing rules, regulations and standards for group foster homes, and for establishing initial and ongoing training for foster parents for group foster homes (A.R.S.
§ 8-503).

            The strike everything amendment to H.B. 2172 appropriates $100,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to DCS.

Provisions

1. Requires DCS to develop and maintain a webpage for group home training programs and resources that include:

a) at least one training program that is provided free of charge and that includes instruction on preventing child sex trafficking and internet crimes against children, if available DCS may use a training program that is provided free of charge by the Arizona Department of Homeland Security; and

b) educational materials and resources related to preventing child sex trafficking and internet crimes against children.

2. Requires all employees of a group home that is contracted with DCS to annually complete the training program.

3. Appropriates $100,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to DCS to develop and maintain a webpage for group home training programs and outlined resources.

4. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.

5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.