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Committee advances SB1126 to give DCS caseworkers access to school records and interviews
Summary
SB1126 would require schools to identify people who withdrew pupils and to provide records to Arizona Department of Child Safety caseworkers on request; sponsors said the measure followed stakeholder meetings after child fatalities and received a unanimous due-pass recommendation in committee.
The Senate Education Committee gave SB1126 a due-pass recommendation after sponsors described the bill as a measure to help Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) caseworkers get information needed during abuse or neglect investigations.
Under the bill, a school would be required, at the request of a DCS caseworker, to identify any person who withdrew a pupil or any school that requested a pupil's education records and to provide other requested information or records related to a pupil who was enrolled at the school. The bill also would prohibit a public or private school from prohibiting any employee, contractor or volunteer from speaking with a DCS caseworker who is investigating an allegation of abuse or neglect.
Senator Warner said the bill stems from interim stakeholder conversations with DCS after several tragic child deaths and cited the case of Rebecca Baptiste as motivating the proposal. Warner said the measure is meant to remove barriers and ensure caseworkers can obtain information when a child's safety is under investigation.
Vice Chair moved the bill with a due-pass recommendation. The committee recorded seven ayes and zero nays, advancing the bill to the next stage.
