Bill Text: AZ HB2581 | 2016 | Fifty-second Legislature 2nd Regular | Introduced
Bill Title: Foster parents; training
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-05-05 - Introduced in House and read first time [HB2581 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2016-HB2581-Introduced.html
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REFERENCE TITLE: foster parents; training |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-second Legislature Second Regular Session 2016
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HB 2581 |
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Introduced by Representatives Gabaldón, Andrade, Benally, Espinoza, Fernandez, Gonzales, Saldate, Velasquez: Alston, Friese, Kopec, Rios
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AN ACT
amending sections 8‑503 and 8‑509, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to foster parents.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Section 8-503, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
8-503. Powers and duties
A. The division shall:
1. Exercise supervision over all child welfare agencies.
2. Advise and cooperate with the governing boards of all child welfare agencies.
3. Assist the staffs of all child welfare agencies by giving advice on progressive methods and procedures of child care and improvement of services.
4. Establish rules, regulations, and standards for:
(a) Licensing of child welfare agencies.
(b) Licensing of foster homes.
(c) Classifications of foster homes as:
(i) Receiving foster homes.
(ii) Regular foster homes.
(iii) Special classes of foster homes as are needed according to the types of problems involved.
(iv) Group foster homes.
(d) Certifying each foster home according to one or more of the categories prescribed in subdivision (c) of this paragraph.
(e) Initial and ongoing foster parent training programs.
(f) The method of approving foster parent training programs.
(g) Uniform amounts of payment for all foster homes according to certification. However, variations in uniform amounts of payments may be allowed for foster homes based on consideration of geographical location or age or mental or physical condition of a foster child.
(h) Renewal of licenses of child welfare agencies and foster homes.
(i) Form and content of investigations, reports and studies concerning disposition of children and foster home placement.
5. Establish a program of counseling and rehabilitation of parents whose children have been placed in foster homes.
6. Establish foster parent training programs or contract with other agencies, institutions or groups for the provision of such training programs to foster parents. This training shall include a mandatory workshop on cultural hygiene. Foster parent training programs shall be established in at least the following areas:
(a) Initial and ongoing training as a foster parent for a regular or group foster home.
(b) Initial and ongoing training as a foster parent for a special foster home.
7. Regulate the importation and exportation of children.
8. In conjunction with the department of education and the department of juvenile corrections, develop and implement a uniform budget format to be submitted by licensed child welfare agencies. The budget format shall be developed in such a manner that, at a minimum, residential and educational instructional costs are separate and distinct budgetary items.
9. Beginning October 1, 1983, Establish as a goal that, at any given time, not more than fifty per cent percent of the total number of children whose maintenance is subsidized by title IV, part E of the social security act, as amended, shall be in foster care in excess of twenty‑four consecutive months. The division shall establish through regulations appropriate procedures to achieve the goal.
B. Except as provided in section 8‑514.01, large group settings for children, group homes for children and child developmental foster homes which that have one or more residents who are clients of the department with developmental disabilities shall be licensed pursuant to title 36, chapter 5.1, article 3. Rules, regulations and standards adopted pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 4 of this section shall not apply to group homes for children or child developmental foster homes licensed pursuant to title 36, chapter 5.1, article 3.
Sec. 2. Section 8-509, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
8-509. Licensing of foster homes; renewal of license; provisional license; exemption from licensure; immunization requirements
A. The division shall license and certify foster homes. Licenses are valid for a period of two years.
B. The division shall not issue a license without satisfactory proof that the foster parent or parents have completed six eight actual hours of approved initial foster parent training as set forth in section 8‑503 and that each foster parent and each other adult member of the household has a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41‑1758.07. The foster parent and each other adult member of the household must certify on forms that are provided by the division and that are notarized whether the foster parent or other adult member of the household is awaiting trial on or has ever been convicted of any of the criminal offenses listed in section 41‑1758.07, subsections B and C in this state or similar offenses in another state or jurisdiction.
C. The division shall not renew a license without satisfactory proof that the foster parent or parents have completed six eight actual hours of approved ongoing foster parent training per year as set forth in section 8‑503.
D. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsections B and C of this section, if the division determines a condition of hardship to the foster parent or parents, the division may issue a provisional license for a period not to exceed six months. A provisional license may not be renewed.
E. Child welfare agencies that submit foster homes for licensing shall conduct an investigation of the foster home pursuant to licensing rules of the division. The division shall conduct investigations of all other foster homes. If the foster home meets all requirements set by the division, the agency shall submit an application stating the foster home's qualifications to the division. The agency may also recommend the types of licensing and certification to be granted to the foster home.
F. The division shall accept an adoptive home certification study as a licensing home study if the study has been updated within the past three months to include the information necessary to determine whether the home meets foster care licensing standards.
G. This section does not apply if the child is placed in a home by a means other than by court order and if the home does not receive compensation from this state or any political subdivision of this state.
H. The division does may not prohibit a person operating a licensed foster home from applying for or receiving compensation as a foster home parent due to employment with this state.
I. The division shall not require a foster parent to immunize the foster parent's natural or adoptive children as a condition of foster home licensure.
J. A licensee may modify the renewal date of a license issued pursuant to this section by submitting an application for modification of renewal date with the division on a form prescribed by the division. The licensee must specify the new month of renewal on the application. The modified renewal date must be prior to before, but not more than six months earlier than, the existing renewal date.
