8-802. Child safety worker; fingerprint clearance cards; interview requirements; temporary custody limit; cooperation and coordination; alteration of files; violation; classification

389 words·~2 min read·/az/title-8/8-802

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

A. The department shall employ child safety workers. All persons who are employed as child safety workers shall have a valid fingerprint clearance card that is issued pursuant to section 41-1758.07 or shall apply for a fingerprint clearance card within seven working days after employment. A child safety worker shall certify on forms that are provided by the department and that are notarized whether the worker is awaiting trial on or has ever been convicted of any of the criminal offenses listed in section 41-1758.07, subsections B and C in this state or similar offenses in another state or jurisdiction.

B. A worker shall not interview a child without the prior written consent of the parent, guardian or custodian of the child unless either:

1. The child initiates contact with the worker.

2. The child who is interviewed is the subject of or is the sibling of or living with the child who is the subject of an abuse or abandonment investigation pursuant to section 8-456.

3. The interview is conducted pursuant to the terms of the protocols established pursuant to section 8-817.

C. A child shall not remain in temporary custody for a period exceeding seventy-two hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, unless a dependency petition is filed.

D. All child safety workers shall be trained and demonstrate competency in:

1. The duty to protect the legal rights of children and families from the time of the initial contact through treatment. The training shall include knowledge of a child's rights as a victim of crime.

2. The legal rights of parents.

3. Impact and intervention practices related to adverse childhood experiences, culturally and linguistically appropriate service delivery, domestic violence, family engagement, communication with special populations and trauma informed responses.

E. All child safety workers shall cooperate and coordinate with the office of child welfare investigations to carry out the purposes of section 8-471.

F. All child safety workers and child welfare investigations workers shall cooperate and coordinate with the inspections bureau to carry out the purposes of section 8-458.

G. All child welfare investigations workers and inspections bureau workers shall cooperate and coordinate with the rest of the department to achieve the purposes of this title.

H. A person who alters a client file for the purpose of fraud or misrepresentation is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.