AZ SB1163

Amends sections 8-882, 8-883, and 8-884 of Arizona Revised Statutes to replace the Department of Health Services with Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) as joint administrator of the substance abuse treatment program with the Department of Child Safety.

Requires program development to focus on identifying parents, guardians, custodians, and cash assistance recipients whose substance abuse is a significant barrier to family reunification or employment.

Mandates contractor requirements including community collaboration, specification of outcomes consistent with statutory goals, cooperation with evaluations, and provision of services in screening, assessment, treatment, and aftercare.

Establishes evaluation factors focused on increasing availability, timeliness, and accessibility of substance abuse treatment for children in foster care, persons receiving temporary assistance, and promoting recovery from alcohol and drug problems.

Requires an independent evaluator to report quarterly to the Department of Child Safety and contractors, with annual reports to the legislature by November 1 on prior fiscal year performance.