The proposed bill would update current statutes by expanding the mandatory fingerprinting and criminal history checks for individuals who have direct contact with committed youth under the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC). It would require fingerprinting and background checks for all ADJC employees, licensees, service contract providers, their employees, volunteers, and visitors who have unsupervised direct contact with committed youth, with a new submission deadline of 10 days prior to such contact. Additionally, the bill would remove the discretion of the Director of ADJC to allow certain rehabilitated individuals to have direct contact with committed youth, instead requiring that any individual awaiting trial or convicted of specified offenses be prohibited from such contact. It would clarify that direct contact is contingent upon passing the required checks and impose immediate termination of contracts for noncompliance, while introducing new definitions for "direct contact," "supervised," and "unsupervised." Overall, the bill modifies existing language to ensure that all individuals with unsupervised direct contact with committed youth undergo thorough background checks, extending the timeframe for submission of fingerprints. It also introduces new requirements for those with supervised contact, including contractors and visitors, to undergo similar checks. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the conditions under which contracts may be terminated based on criminal backgrounds and expands the definition of "direct contact" to enhance safety and oversight in secure care facilities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-2814
House Engrossed Version: 41-2814
Chaptered Version: 41-2814