Arizona law requires credit freezes for children in state care

The Department of Child Safety must place a security freeze on the child's record or credit report. This applies when a child is adjudicated dependent and placed in the Department of Child Safety's care. The freeze limits release of the child's credit report or a record created for this purpose. The freeze remains until the child turns 16. At 16, the child may keep it or ask to have it removed.

Consumer reporting agencies must place a security freeze when a protected person's representative makes a request and provides required proof. Protected people include children under 16 when the request is made, people with a guardian or conservator, and children in Department of Child Safety care. The representative must follow the agency's process and provide proof of identity and authority to act. If the agency has no file for the person, it must create a record. While the freeze is in place, the agency generally may not release the person's credit report or related information. The law lists exceptions, and an agency may remove a freeze or delete a record based on a material false statement. An agency must place the freeze within 30 days after the request. It remains until the person or representative asks to remove it, or the agency removes it under the law's false-statement rule.