Bill would set safety, staffing, and security rules for Arizona group foster homes

A new section 8-530.10 would require the department to develop and carry out rules, policies, and procedures for group foster homes' resident safety and employee screening. It covers group foster homes, their employees, the children living there, and the department. Employees would need complete criminal history checks, substance use screening, and reference checks, and training in trauma-informed care, mental health crisis management, and first aid. Staff could not use personal cell phones at the home, and could not share residents' personal information or schedules. Homes would need secure entry and exit points, working locks on exterior doors and windows, and monitoring of common areas by video or staff. Homes would have to document that residents attend medical and mental health appointments, and allow unannounced inspections and independent audits by the department.

The act amends section 8-529 to bar retaliation against a child who reports a violation of personal rights or takes part in an inquiry. It covers children in foster care and kinship foster care and foster parents, kinship caregivers, group home employees, contractors, and agents. Protection applies when the report or participation was made in good faith or with a reasonable belief it was true. Retaliation includes actions that would deter a reasonable child and materially harm placement, services, education, health care, privileges, or visitation, such as unjustified placement changes, denying activities or visits, undocumented discipline, false reports about the child, or destroying records. The printing also shows rights to be free of bullying or discrimination and to voluntarily join enrichment activities.

The act amends section 8-530.06 on drug screening and section 8-530.08 on congregate care. It covers group foster home employees, the department, and children placed in group homes or congregate care. Employees may not have contact with a child before an initial drug screening. Homes must report positive results, refusals, or tampering to the department within forty-eight hours. The department must report screening results to the Senate and House health and human services committees. After placing a medically complex child in a group home, the department must visit the home within forty-eight hours to check that staff are properly trained. Screenings are quarterly and reports to the department are due within forty-eight hours.