Arizona 2024 2024 Regular Session

Arizona Senate Bill SB1313 Comm Sub / Analysis

Filed 05/01/2024

                    Assigned to TTMC 	AS PASSED BY COW 
 
 
 
 
ARIZONA STATE SENATE 
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session 
 
REVISED 
AMENDED 
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1313 
 
DCS; discharge from care; housing 
Purpose 
Requires, by December 31, 2025, 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 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 December 31, 2025, 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 December 31, 2025, 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. Defines a young adult as a person who is under 21 years old and is exiting or has exited the 
custody of DCS at 18 years old.  FACT SHEET – Amended/Revised 
S.B. 1313 
Page 2 
 
 
5. Declares the Legislature's intent that all young adults have access to safe and secure housing 
after leaving DCS care.  
6. Makes conforming changes. 
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.  
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.  
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole 
1. Defines young adult. 
2. Makes conforming changes.  
Revisions 
• Corrects the implementation and reporting deadline from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 
2025.  
Senate Action  
TTMC 2/15/24 DPA 5-0-2 
 
Prepared by Senate Research 
May 1, 2024 
KJA/EB/slp