Bill Text: AZ SB1142 | 2016 | Fifty-second Legislature 2nd Regular | Engrossed
Bill Title: DCS; backlog cases; private contractors
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 20-13)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-05-05 - Introduced in House and read first time [SB1142 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2016-SB1142-Engrossed.html
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Senate Engrossed |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-second Legislature Second Regular Session 2016
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SENATE BILL 1142 |
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AN ACT
prescribing contracts between the department of child safety and private contractors to administer backlog cases.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Department of child safety; private contractors; backlog cases; definition; delayed repeal
A. The department of child safety shall enter into one or more contracts with one or more private contractors to work cooperatively with the department to administer backlog cases as provided in this section. A contract may include the use of an analytic support tool to be used by the contractor or the department, or both, to assist in making a risk assessment. Notwithstanding title 41, chapter 23, Arizona Revised Statues, the department shall use emergency procurements to enter into the contracts, except that the procurements shall be made with as much competition as is practicable, including using expedited requests for proposals. All contract awards shall be reported to the joint legislative budget committee.
B. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, in administering backlog cases, the private contractor or contractors shall complete all aspects of each case needed to be performed according to department rules and policies and this section. The department shall maintain direct supervision of all cases.
C. The department shall review each report and identify the tasks to be completed by department employees and by the private contractor. When a private contractor completes the tasks assigned, the private contractor shall return the case to the department to determine if any additional work needs to be done on the case.
D. If a private contractor has a reasonable belief that grounds for removal pursuant to section 8‑821, Arizona Revised Statutes, exist, the private contractor shall:
1. Immediately contact the designated department supervisor.
2. Contact law enforcement as appropriate.
3. Take other actions necessary to ensure the child's safety.
E. A contractor and its employees shall protect any DCS information received as prescribed in section 8‑807, Arizona Revised Statutes.
F. The department shall report to the joint legislative budget committee within thirty days after each calendar quarter the status of all backlog cases as of the end of that calendar quarter.
G. For the purposes of this section, "backlog case":
1. Means any nonactive case for which documentation has not been entered in the child welfare automated system for at least sixty days and for which services have not been authorized for at least sixty days or any case that has had an investigation, has been referred to other units and has had no contact for at least sixty days.
2. Includes any case for which the investigation has been open for at least sixty days, any case involving in‑home services for which there has been no contact or services authorized for at least sixty days or any case involving foster care in which there has been no contact or any documentation entered in the child welfare automated system for at least sixty days.
H. This section is repealed from and after June 30, 2017.
Sec. 2. Emergency
This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.
