Arizona HB 2322: DCS; investigations; interviews; recording

Bill Text

HB2322 - 572R - H Ver 

 House Engrossed

 DCS; investigations; 
 interviews; recording

 State of Arizona

 House of Representatives

 Fifty-seventh Legislature

 Second Regular Session

 2026

 HOUSE BILL 2322

AN 
ACT

amending section 8-456, arizona revised 
statutes; relating to the department of child safety.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it 
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 8-456, Arizona Revised 
Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-456. Investigative function; training; voice stress analysis; 
recordings; criminal offenses; definitions

A. The department shall train all investigators in 
forensic interviewing and processes and the protocols established pursuant to 
section 8-817.� The training must include:

1. An evidence-informed safety assessment 
model to assess the safety of a child.

2. The duty to protect the legal and due process 
rights of children and families from the time of the initial contact through 
case closure.

3. Instruction on a child's rights as a crime victim 
and instruction on the legal rights of parents.

4. A checklist or other mechanism to assist the 
investigator in giving consideration to the relevant factors in each 
investigation.

B. The office of child welfare investigations shall 
investigate DCS reports that contain a criminal conduct allegation as provided 
in sections 8-471 and 8-817.

C. The department shall use an evidence-informed 
safety assessment model to assess the safety of a child.

D. After receiving a DCS report from the centralized 
intake hotline pursuant to section 8-455, an investigator shall do all of 
the following:

1. Make a prompt and thorough investigation.� An 
investigation must evaluate and determine the nature, extent and cause of any 
condition created by the parents, guardian or custodian, an adult member of the 
victim's household or an employee of a child welfare agency where the child is 
placed that is licensed by and contracted with the department that would tend 
to support or refute the allegation that the child is a victim of abuse or 
neglect and determine the name, age and condition of other children in the 
home. If an investigator has sufficient information to determine 
that the child is not a victim of abuse or neglect, the investigator may close 
the investigation.

2. If required by section 8-821 and subject to 
section 8-471, take a child into temporary custody.� Law enforcement 
officers shall cooperate with the department to remove a child from the custody 
of the child's parents, guardian or custodian when necessary.

E. The department may not use covert voice stress 
analysis during an investigation to determine if abuse or neglect exists.� The 
department may not use overt voice stress analysis during an investigation 
unless the person on whom the analysis is used gives informed 
consent. Results of computer voice stress analysis are not 
admissible in court.

F. After an investigation, an investigator shall:

1. Determine whether any child is in need of child 
safety services consistent with the evaluation and determination made pursuant 
to subsection D of this section.

2. If appropriate pursuant to section 8-846, 
offer to the family of any child who is found to be a child in need of child 
safety services those services that are designed to correct unresolved problems 
that would indicate a reason to adjudicate the child dependent.

3. Submit a written report of the investigator's 
investigation to:

(a) The department's case management information 
system within a reasonable amount of time that does not exceed forty-five days 
after receipt of the DCS report except as provided in section 8-811. If 
the investigation involves allegations regarding a child who at the time of the 
alleged incident was in the custody of a child welfare agency licensed by the 
department under this title, a copy of the report and any additional investigative 
or other related reports must be provided to the board of directors of the 
agency or to the administrative head of the agency unless the incident is 
alleged to have been committed by the person. The department shall 
excise all information with regard to the identity of the source of the 
reports.

(b) The appropriate court forty-eight hours 
before a dependency hearing pursuant to a petition of dependency or within 
twenty-one days after a petition of dependency is filed, whichever is 
earlier.� On receipt of the report the court shall make the report available to 
all parties and counsel.

4. Accept a child into voluntary placement pursuant 
to section 8-806.

5. Identify, promptly obtain and abide by court 
orders that restrict or deny custody, visitation or contact by a parent or 
other person in the home with the child and notify appropriate personnel in the 
department to preclude violations of a court order in the provision of any 
services.

G. In conducting an investigation pursuant to this 
section, if t