The Department of Child Safety must make efforts each year to sign a memorandum of understanding with every Indian tribe in Arizona that does not already have a current one, and each agreement must cover information sharing, a tribal liaison and tribal access to group home enforcement records.
Official title: DCS; memorandum of understanding; tribes
- September 12, 2026
What changes
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NowEach year, the Department of Child Safety must make efforts to enter a memorandum of understanding (a written agreement) with each Indian tribe in Arizona that does not have a current one with the department.
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NowThe agreement must require the department to share best practices, policies, training materials and operational standards, including on intake, investigations, placement of children, case management and service coordination.
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NowThe agreement must name a department tribal liaison assigned to that tribe to coordinate communication, give technical assistance and support collaboration on child welfare matters.
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NowThe agreement must set up a process for the tribe to access the department's regulatory, licensing, investigation and enforcement actions against any department-licensed group home where a child who is a member of the tribe is placed, including corrective action plans, licensing sanctions or suspensions, substantiated health and safety violations and other related regulatory actions.
Who it affects
- Indian tribes located in Arizona
- Children who are tribal members placed in department-licensed group homes
- Department-licensed group homes
- Arizona Department of Child Safety
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- What counts as making 'efforts' to reach an agreement
- What happens if a tribe chooses not to sign an agreement
- Whether tribes with a current agreement must have it updated to include these terms
- How and how quickly tribes will get access to group home enforcement records
- How confidential information will be protected when shared
- Whether any funding is provided for this work
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.