HB 2274
Initials AG/JB Page 1 Senate Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-fifth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: HHS DP 9-0-0-0 | APPROP DP 11-1-1-0 | 3
rd
Read 52-7-1-0
Senate: APPROP DP 9-0-1-0 | 3
rd
Read 26-2-2-0
HB 2274: appropriation; stipend; kinship foster care
Sponsor: Representative Weninger, LD 17
Senate Engrossed
Overview
Appropriates $24.2 million from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2023 to the Department of
Child Safety (DCS) to use for $300 monthly stipends per child for specified caretakers. Exempts
the appropriation from lapsing and deems the funds ongoing for future years.
History
The primary purpose of DCS is to protect children. To achieve this DCS will do and focus equally
on: 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 and neglect; 3) cooperating with law enforcement regarding reports that
include allegations of criminal conduct; and 4) coordinating services to achieve and maintain
permanency for the child, strengthen the family and provide prevention, intervention and
treatment services without compromising the child's safety (A.R.S. § 8-451).
The DCS must establish kinship foster care services for a child who has been removed from their
home and is in the custody of DCS. The program will promote the placement of the child with a
relative or a person with a significant relationship with the child for kinship foster care (A.R.S. §
8-514.03).
Provisions
1. Appropriates $24,200,000 from the state GF in FY 2023 to DCS for $300 stipends per month
per child for certain relative caretakers. (Sec. 1)
2. Stipulates that the kinship foster care parent is not required to file an application to receive
the stipend. (Sec. 1)
3. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing. (Sec. 1)
4. Deems that the Legislature intends the appropriation to be considered ongoing in future years.
(Sec. 1)
Senate Amendments
1. Reduces the appropriation from $24.2 million to $19.8 million.
2. Removes the appropriation's exemption from lapsing.
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note