The proposed bill would update current statutes by expanding the mandatory fingerprinting and criminal history check requirements 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 at least 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, limiting such contact to supervised interactions only. It would also impose immediate termination of contracts for noncompliance and expand the list of criminal offenses that must be disclosed. Furthermore, the bill modifies the language regarding the requirements for individuals with direct contact, replacing "all employees" with "each employee" and including licensees, contract service providers, and volunteers. It clarifies that direct contact is contingent upon successful fingerprint and criminal history checks, and introduces new provisions for those with supervised contact, mandating criminal history checks before entry into secure care facilities. The updates aim to enhance safety and oversight in interactions between staff and committed youth by tightening regulations surrounding background checks and defining terms related to contact.

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