If enacted, this bill would dissolve the Department of Child Safety (DCS) and transfer its responsibilities to the Department of Economic Security (DES), renaming it the "Division of Child Safety." The bill ensures that all existing actions, obligations, administrative rules, and contracts related to DCS remain valid and are transferred to DES, maintaining their current status. It also mandates the transfer of resources, including personnel, equipment, and financial obligations, from DCS to DES, while requiring the Legislative Council Staff to prepare conforming legislation for future sessions.

The bill updates current statutes by redefining key terms such as "Department" and "Division" to clarify their association with DES and its Division of Child Safety. It repeals outdated sections and modifies definitions related to child welfare and adoption, while introducing new language to modernize terminology and enhance clarity. The changes aim to streamline operations and improve the effectiveness of child welfare services in Arizona, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, including the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 1-215, 8-101, 8-141, 8-161, 8-171, 8-201, 8-271, 8-450, 8-451, 8-452, 8-453, 8-454, 8-501, 8-531, 8-801, 41-1954, 41-3026.21, 41-3028.05, 41-1001, 104-94, 105-94, 49-401.01, 13-3821, 28-8426, 15-1897, 8-107, 8-871, 36-551, 13-1404, 13-1405, 13-1406, 13-1410, 13-3552, 13-3553, 13-3608, 13-3212, 13-3401, 8-327, 13-501, 13-3903, 13-4261, 13-3623, 13-3601, 13-1417, 8-455, 13-706, 32-3201, 15-803, 13-3620, 13-3551, 13-1401, 13-1411, 13-3507, 8-521.02, 8-456, 8-471, 36-501, 8-824, 8-845, 8-548, 8-806, 8-521, 8-521.01, 95-608, 41-192, 35-173, 8-457, 8-458, 8-509, 36-593.01, 8-821, 8-106, 41-1953, 100-485, 91-517, 41-1956, 41-1981, 35-146, 35-147, 104-193, 36-2903.01, 36-2904, 25-814, 42-2003, 25-520