AZ HB2611

Expands rights for children in foster care and kinship foster care to include protection from retaliation when reporting violations of personal rights, freedom from bullying or discrimination, voluntary participation in enrichment activities, and access to immediate and unbiased medical, dental, vision, and mental health services.

Strengthens group foster home drug screening requirements by mandating quarterly random screenings, requiring reporting of all results (positive, negative, refusals, and tampering) to the Department of Child Safety, and requiring employee termination following confirmed positive results for illegal or unauthorized substances.

Requires comprehensive background checks, substance use screening, reference verification, and mandatory training in trauma-informed care, mental health crisis management, and first aid for all group foster home employees.

Establishes new security standards for juvenile group homes including secure entry/exit, functional locks, monitored common areas, trauma-informed safety protocols to prevent exploitation and unauthorized exits, and restrictions on employee cell phone use and sharing of residents' personal information.

Permits unannounced inspections and independent audits of group homes by licensing authorities and requires documentation that children attend medical and mental health care appointments.