The proposed bill SB1067 amends existing Arizona child welfare laws to expand the definition of "abuse" to include physical injury or emotional damage inflicted on a child by employees of child welfare agencies contracted with the Department of Child Safety (DCS). This change aims to ensure that allegations of abuse by these employees are taken seriously and investigated appropriately. Additionally, the bill mandates that DCS hotline workers prepare a report if the suspected abuser is an employee of a child welfare agency, provided that the child victim is placed with that agency and the agency is licensed and contracted with DCS.

Furthermore, the bill requires that DCS reports include specific information about the suspected employee, such as their name and contact details, if the child victim is placed with the agency. It also clarifies that investigations into allegations of abuse must consider the actions of employees of child welfare agencies, alongside parents or guardians. Overall, the bill strengthens protections for children in the care of contracted agencies by ensuring that any abuse by agency employees is documented and investigated.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-201, 8-455, 8-456, 8-803, 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, 13-706, 32-3201, 15-803, 13-3620, 13-3551, 13-1401, 13-1411, 13-3507, 8-521.02, 8-471, 8-458, 8-817, 8-821, 8-846, 8-811, 8-806, 41-1292
Senate Engrossed Version: 8-201, 8-455, 8-456, 8-803, 8-811, 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, 13-706, 32-3201, 15-803, 13-3620, 13-3551, 13-1401, 13-1411, 13-3507, 8-521.02, 8-471, 8-458, 8-817, 8-821, 8-846, 8-806, 41-1292, 41-1376
Chaptered Version: 8-201, 8-455, 8-456, 8-803, 8-811, 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, 13-706, 32-3201, 15-803, 13-3620, 13-3551, 13-1401, 13-1411, 13-3507, 8-521.02, 8-471, 8-458, 8-817, 8-821, 8-846, 8-806, 41-1292, 41-1376