SB 1325 Summary

• Amends section 8-521 of Arizona Revised Statutes to modify the independent living program for dependent youth in state custody.

• Changes the monthly stipend requirement from not exceeding the average cost of care from the preceding three months to a minimum of $1,200 per month for youth placed in independent living programs.

• Requires the Department of Child Safety, licensed child welfare agencies, or tribal child welfare agencies to provide the $1,200 monthly stipend as the cost of care for each child in an independent living program.

• Maintains existing requirements for court-ordered placement, quarterly progress reports to courts and foster care review boards, and six-month case reviews by local foster care review boards.

• Preserves the requirement to establish an educational case management unit with two case managers to assist program participants with high school graduation, standardized testing, and postsecondary education and financial aid applications.