DCS; intake hotline; multiple reports
SB 1172 requires Arizona's Department of Child Safety (DCS) to operate a centralized hotline for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, mandating that all reports be recorded and cross-checked for prior incidents using state data systems. It directs DCS to use standardized tools to assess the severity of abuse/neglect, identify potential criminal conduct, and determine appropriate investigation priorities. For cases involving four or more reports against the same caregiver within 12 months, investigations must be assigned to specialists with at least two years of experience or advanced forensic training. Additionally, DCS must share hotline reports about children in active dependency court cases with the overseeing court. These changes aim to streamline response protocols and improve child safety outcomes.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 20, 2026
Signed May 29, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
Senate Engrossed Version (02/17/2026)
→
Chaptered Version
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was completely rewritten and renumbered, shifting from a focus on child safety intake procedures to a new section on vendor credentialing for the Department of Economic Security. The original text regarding child abuse reporting hotlines and investigation priorities was entirely removed and replaced with new rules for handling denied credentialing applications, including a specific opportunity for applicants to correct deficiencies before a final denial.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed entirely from the Department of Child Safety (DCS) and child welfare intake to the Department of Economic Security (DES) and vendor credentialing processes.
SCOPE
All text related to the centralized child abuse intake hotline, investigation priorities, and reporting requirements for the Department of Child Safety was removed.
REQUIREMENT
New requirements were added for the Department of Economic Security to allow applicants to correct application deficiencies within 14 business days before a final denial is issued.
DEFINITION
New definitions were added for 'applicant' and 'credentialing' specifically regarding vendor eligibility to contract with the department.
TIMELINE
A deadline was established for the department to adopt implementing rules by June 30, 2027.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2026 · House Apr 21, 2026
How they voted
28–1
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
Feb 17, 2026
D
Democratic13
84% Yea
R
Republican17
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
7
Committee
1
Amendments
2
May 29, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
May 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA/SE
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Carine Werner
RRepublican
Co
Cesar Aguilar
DDemocratic
Co
Hildy Angius
RRepublican
Co
Matt Gress
RRepublican
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