SB1252

THE CONTEXT: The State Child Fatality Review Team ( State CFR Team ) is established within the Department of Health Services (DHS) for the purposes of: 1) developing a child fatalities data collection system; 2) providing training to cooperating agencies, individuals and local child fatality review teams on the use of the child fatalities data system; 3) conducting and submitting an annual statistical report on the incidence and causes of child fatalities in Arizona during the past fiscal year; 4) developing standards and protocols for local child fatality review teams and providing training and technical assistance to the...

WHAT THE BILL DID: Effective July 1, 2024, establishes the Independent Maltreatment Fatality and Near Fatality Oversight Committee (Committee) to review fatalities and near fatalities resulting from abuse and neglect. Outlines Committee membership, powers, duties and confidentiality requirements.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give patients a defined set of rights and a clear informed-consent standard. It would establish the Committee within the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) consisting of: a) the following nonvoting advisory members: i. the Director of DCS or their designee; ii. the Director of the Department of Economic Security or their designee; iii. the Cochairpersons of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on DCS or their designees; and iv. a juvenile court judge who is appointed by the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court who has significant experience in child dependency cases or their designee; b) the following voting members who are appointed by the Director of ADOA: i. a licensed pediatrician who has professional experience relating to child neglect and abuse; ii. a county medical examiner; iii. a peace officer who has experience in investigating child abuse and neglect fatalities and near fatalities; iv. a practicing attorney who has experience representing children in dependency law matters; v. a practicing social worker; vi. a parent advocate who has experience in the dependent child protection system; vii. a person who is a former foster child; viii. a currently of formerly licensed foster parent; and ix. a person who has expertise in data analytics, and would also sets the initial terms of Committee members appointed by the Director of ADOA as follows: a) three terms ending January 1, 2026; b) three terms ending January 1, 2027; and c) three terms ending January 1,, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.