All Roll Calls
Yes: 95 • No: 45
ArizonaSB 1496Fifty-seventh Legislature - Second Regular SessionSenate
DCS; policies; procedures
Sponsored By: Carine Werner (Republican)
Signed by Governor
appointment (h)child safety - title 8counsel right (h)dcs (see also: department of child safety)department of child safety (dcs)permanency hearingpoliciesproceduresrepealrepealingrepresentation of children (h)representative payee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Children’s federal benefits stay protected
For a child in DCS care who receives federal benefits, DCS must look for a suitable payee outside the department. Within 30 days after benefit approval and at later hearings, DCS must document its efforts. DCS must also consult case parties during annual screenings, when the child or lawyer asks, and when circumstances change.
More protection in abuse findings
A person who receives notice of a proposed abuse or neglect finding can request a hearing within 20 days. DCS reviews the case first, and the finding must be supported by a preponderance of the evidence. If the evidence does not meet that standard, DCS must change the finding or the person’s identifying information. If the hearing supports the finding, it goes into the central registry.
Faster action on missing-child reports
When DCS receives a report that a child is missing, abducted, or has run away, it must notify listed people in writing or by phone. This notice is still required when investigators believe other contacts could interfere with the investigation or search. Within 24 hours, DCS must ask law enforcement whether the case meets Amber Alert or Seek and Find Alert rules. Law enforcement must record its response.
More family search reports in care cases
When a child enters temporary custody, DCS must report within 30 days on efforts to find and notify adult relatives and people close to the child. The report must describe possible placements and their outcomes, and DCS must update it at later hearings. After a permanency hearing, DCS and the court may stop the search if the child has a prospective permanent placement. Searches must continue if the court orders them, the placement changes, or a party shows that more searching is in the child’s best interest.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Carine Werner
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Hildy Angius
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 6/12/2026
Final Reading: Passed
Yes: 20 • No: 9
Senate vote • 6/12/2026
Concurrence: Passed
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 6/11/2026
Third Reading: Passed
Yes: 38 • No: 20
House vote • 3/30/2026
Rules: C&P
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 3/23/2026
Health & Human Services: DPA
Yes: 6 • No: 4
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Third Reading: Passed
Yes: 18 • No: 10
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Health and Human Services: DP
Yes: 5 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor
6/19/2026GovernorFinal Reading: Passed
6/12/2026SenateConcurrence: Passed
6/12/2026SenateThird Reading: Passed
6/11/2026HouseAdditional Committee of the Whole: do pass amended
6/10/2026HouseMiscellaneous Motion: Passed
6/10/2026HouseCommittee of the Whole: do pass amended
5/5/2026HouseRules: C&P
3/30/2026HouseHealth & Human Services: DPA
3/23/2026HouseHouse Second Reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse First Reading
3/3/2026HouseThird Reading: Passed
2/26/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole: do pass amended
2/26/2026SenateRules: PFC
2/16/2026SenateHealth and Human Services: DP
2/11/2026SenateSenate Second Reading
2/2/2026SenateSenate First Reading
1/29/2026Senate
Bill Text
Chaptered Version
House Engrossed Version (06/11/2026)
Introduced Version
Senate Engrossed Version (02/26/2026)