SB 1067 Summary

• Expands the definition of "abuse" to include serious emotional damage caused by employees of child welfare agencies that are licensed by and contracted with the Department of Child Safety (DCS).

• Requires DCS hotline workers to prepare a report when an employee of a licensed, contracted child welfare agency is suspected of abusing a child placed with that agency.

• Modifies investigation procedures to include employees of licensed, contracted child welfare agencies as potential subjects of abuse and neglect investigations alongside parents, guardians, and custodians.

• Updates notice and hearing procedures to ensure accused child welfare agency employees receive the same due process rights as other accused parties, including notification of substantiation decisions and rights to administrative hearings.

• Amends definitions in Arizona Revised Statutes sections 8-201, 8-455, 8-456, 8-803, and 8-811 to implement these changes across DCS investigation and child welfare processes.