AZ SB1357

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 8-526 to modify child welfare reporting requirements for the Department of Child Welfare, requiring semiannual reports on March 31 and September 30 of each year.

Requires reporting on investigations with specific inclusion of reasons when reports are determined to be unsubstantiated, adding transparency to the investigation outcome process.

Mandates compilation and reporting of extensive child welfare metrics including foster home licensing data, case plan goals, adoption statistics, placement disruptions, and child deaths categorized by cause and caregiver type.

Requires the Department to describe three to five major challenges it faces in achieving safe, permanent homes for abused and neglected children in each reporting period.

Department must submit written reports within three months after each reporting period to the Governor, legislative leadership, relevant committees, the Secretary of State, and the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records.