Assigned to TTMC AS PASSED BY COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1313
DCS; discharge from care; housing
Purpose
Requires, by January 1, 2026, the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to develop, implement
and submit a report on policies and procedures to ensure access to safe and secure housing for
young adults who leave DCS care and have not achieved permanency.
Background
DCS must make child welfare program and outcome data available on DCS's website in a
format that can be downloaded and is conducive to analysis. By September 30 and by March 31
of each year, DCS must make available outlined information, including the number and percentage
of children who left DCS custody during the reporting period by reason for leaving care and as
categorized by age, ethnicity, number of placements and average length of time in DCS care
(A.R.S. § 8-526).
A reason for leaving care is: 1) reunification with a parent or primary caretaker; 2) living
with another relative; 3) adoption by a relative, foster parent or another person; 4) age of majority;
5) guardianship by a relative or another person; 6) transfer to another agency; 7) runaway; or
8) death (A.R.S. § 8-501).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, by January 1, 2026, DCS to develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure
that every young adult who leaves DCS care and has not achieved permanency through
reunification, adoption or guardianship has access to safe and secure housing.
2. Requires the policies and procedures to specify the actions DCS will take to ensure access to
safe and secure housing.
3. Requires, by January 1, 2026, DCS to submit a report that outlines the adopted policies and
procedures to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the Secretary of State.
4. Contains a statement of legislative intent.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date. FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1313
Page 2
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Applies the prescribed policies and procedures to young adults who leave DCS care and have
not achieved permanency through reunification, adoption or guardianship, rather than children
who leave DCS care.
2. Specifies that the policies and procedures are to ensure access to safe and secure housing, rather
than ensure safe and secure housing.
3. Modifies the statement of legislative intent.
Senate Action
TTMC 2/15/24 DPA 5-0-2
Prepared by Senate Research
February 19, 2024
KJA/EB/slp