Bill > HB2860

This bill establishes an Independent Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to improve transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the child welfare system. The committee will be composed of members appointed by various state officials, including legislators, the governor, and the chief justice, with diverse expertise in child welfare, law, and medicine. This committee will independently review the DCS's performance, policies, and practices, including child safety outcomes, response times, placement stability, and vendor performance. It will also analyze critical incidents, review staffing and caseloads, and evaluate compliance with state and federal laws. The committee will have the authority to request information from the DCS and its vendors, conduct site visits, and consult with experts. It will also establish a confidential process for receiving complaints and whistleblower information, and can refer credible evidence of criminal conduct or civil rights violations to law enforcement. The DCS must respond to the committee's findings and recommendations within a specified timeframe, including a corrective action plan. The committee will submit regular reports to state leadership and maintain a public dashboard of de-identified child safety performance measures. The committee is established until July 1, 2036, and an initial appropriation of $2.2 million is provided for its establishment and operations.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/84685