SB 1313
Initials AG/KT Page 1 Caucus & COW
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
Senate: TTMC DPA 5-0-2-0 | 3
rd
Read 26-2-2-0
House: HHS DP 9-1-0-0
SB 1313: DCS; discharge from care; housing
Sponsor: Senator Miranda, LD 11
Caucus & COW
Overview
Directs the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) to develop and implement policies and
procedures to ensure that every young adult who leaves the care of DCS and has not achieved
permanency through reunification, adoption or guardianship has access to safe and secure
housing by December 31, 2025.
History
DCS was established to protect the children of Arizona by: 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 or neglect; 3)
working cooperatively with law enforcement regarding reports that include criminal conduct
allegations; and 4) without compromising child safety, coordinating services to achieve and
maintain permanency on behalf of the child, strengthen the family and provide prevention,
intervention and treatment services (A.R.S. § 8-451).
Reason for leaving care means one of the following: 1) reunification with a parent or primary
caretaker; 2) living with another relative; 3) adoption by a relative; 4) adoption by a foster
parent; 5) adoption by another person; 6) age of majority 7) guardianship by a relative; 8)
guardianship by another person; 9) transfer to another agency; 10) runaway; and 11) death
(A.R.S. § 8-501).
Provisions
1. Requires DCS, by December 31, 2025, to develop and implement policies and procedures
to ensure that every young adult who leaves the care of DCS and who has not achieved
permanency through reunification, adoption or guardianship has access to safe and
secure housing. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires the policies and procedures to specify the actions DCS will take to ensure safe
and secure housing for a young adult who leaves DCS care and has not achieved
permanency through reunification, adoption or guardianship. (Sec. 1)
3. Directs DCS to submit a report that outlines the adopted policies and procedures to the
Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
and provide a copy to the Secretary of State by December 31, 2025. (Sec. 1)
4. Defines the term young adult. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note SB 1313
Initials AG/KT Page 2 Caucus & COW
5. Declares that the Legislature intends that all young adults have access to safe and secure
housing after leaving DCS's care. (Sec. 2)