The proposed bill would update current statutes by establishing the Independent Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety (DCS) as a new entity within Chapter 7 of Title 8 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. This committee would consist of appointed members, including legislators and child welfare experts, and would be tasked with reviewing DCS's performance, analyzing child safety outcomes, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws. The bill mandates that the committee meet monthly, adhere to open meeting laws, and maintain confidentiality for protected information. It also requires DCS to provide the committee with necessary records in a de-identified format and obligates DCS vendors to cooperate with the committee's requests.

Additionally, the bill introduces several provisions aimed at enhancing oversight and accountability, including a confidential complaint process for the public and DCS employees, protections against retaliation for whistleblowers, and the requirement for DCS to provide quarterly updates on corrective actions. It appropriates $2.2 million from the General Fund for the committee's operations in FY 2027 and establishes a new fund to support its activities, while prohibiting the acceptance of potentially conflicting funds. The bill also allows the committee to refer misconduct to law enforcement and non-compliance issues to the Attorney General, ultimately aiming to improve transparency and operational efficiency within the DCS oversight framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-3036.01, 8-933, 41-1375, 104-191, 93-380