Arizona 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Status: To Executive 1 R cosponsors

HB 2611 — group homes; safety; training; rights

Last action — Vetoed by Governor

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session. It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

Vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs (Democratic) on June 19, 2026.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

In plain language

This bill establishes safety training and rights for group homes.

The legislation focuses on enhancing safety training and defining rights for individuals in group homes. It aims to create a safer environment and uphold the rights of residents.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

63 added · 56 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of House Bill 2611 strengthens protections for children in group homes and foster care by explicitly prohibiting any retaliatory action against them for reporting violations of their rights. This means that if a child raises concerns or participates in investigations regarding their treatment, they should not face punishment or threats from caregivers. This change matters because it aims to create a safer environment for vulnerable children, allowing them to speak up about mistreatment without fear of negative consequences.

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Senate Engrossed House Bill group homes;
House Engrossed group homes;
AMENDING TITLE 36, CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE 1, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, BY ADDING SECTION 36-1202;
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPORT ALL RESULTS TO THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEES, OR THEIR SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES.
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPORT ALL RESULTS, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
THE REPORT MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
resident safety;
safety;
7.
Sec.
REQUIRE MINIMUM SECURITY STANDARDS THAT INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
5.
(a) SECURE ENTRY AND EXIT POINTS THAT PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS.
Title 36, chapter 10, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 36-1202, to read:
(b) FUNCTIONAL LOCKING MECHANISMS ON ALL EXTERIOR DOORS AND WINDOWS THAT ARE MAINTAINED IN WORKING ORDER AT ALL TIMES.
36-1202.
(c) MONITORING OF COMMON AREAS, INCLUDING VIDEO SURVEILLANCE OR STAFF SUPERVISION.
Juvenile group homes;
8.
resident safety;
policies;
rules;
procedures;
definitions A.
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT RULES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR GROUP HOMES THAT DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
1.
REQUIRE MINIMUM SECURITY STANDARDS FOR GROUP HOMES THAT INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
(a) SECURE ENTRY AND EXIT.
(b) FUNCTIONAL LOCKS.
(c) MONITORED COMMON AREAS.
2.
9.
3.
ALLOW UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS AND INDEPENDENT AUDITS BY THE DEPARTMENT.
ALLOW UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS AND INDEPENDENT AUDITS BY THE GROUP HOME'S LICENSING AUTHORITY.
10.
4.
11.
PROHIBIT GROUP FOSTER HOME EMPLOYEES FROM SHARING RESIDENTS' PERSONAL INFORMATION OR SCHEDULES.
Sec.
PROHIBIT GROUP HOME EMPLOYEES FROM SHARING RESIDENTS PERSONAL INFORMATION OR SCHEDULES.
- 7 - H.B.
2611 B.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "GROUP HOME", "LICENSING AUTHORITY" AND "RESIDENT" HAVE THE SAME MEANINGS PRESCRIBED IN SECTION 32-1201.
Sec.
6.
- 7 -
- 8 -
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How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing laws related to the rights of children in foster care and kinship foster care, enhances safety protocols for group homes, and adds new provisions for training and rights.

  • 8-529

    A child WHO IS in foster care and OR kinship foster care has the following rights: → A child who is in foster care or kinship foster care has the following rights:

    Clarifies the wording regarding the rights of children in foster care.

  • 8-530.06

    A GROUP FOSTER HOME SHALL SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT VERIFICATION OF THE COMPLETION OF THE RANDOM QUARTERLY DRUG SCREENING THAT IS CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO TH → A group foster home shall submit to the department verification of the completion of the random quarterly drug screenings that are conducted pursuant to this section.

    Standardizes the terminology for better clarity regarding drug screenings.

  • 8-529

    AND TO BE FREE OF BULLYING OR DISCRIMINATION. → to be free of bullying or discrimination.

    Ensures children in foster care are explicitly granted the right to be free from bullying or discrimination.

  • 8-529

    , except THAT the foster parent shall have full access to the records to determine if WHETHER the child will be successful in the home. → to have the foster parent full access to the records to determine if the child will be successful in the home.

    Changes phrasing for clarity regarding foster parent access to children's records.

  • 8-529

    26. TO VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATE IN ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES. → 26. To voluntarily participate in enrichment activities.

    Ensures that the right to participate in enrichment activities is clearly stated.

  • 8-529

    FOSTER HOME, A GROUP FOSTER HOME, A GROUP HOME OR AN EMPLOYEE, CONTRACTOR OR AGENT OF A HOME OR FACILITY WHERE A CHILD WHO IS IN THE CARE OF THE DEPARTMENT IS PLACED MAY NOT TAKE, THREATEN OR CAUSE RETALIATORY ACTION AGAINST A CHILD BECAUSE THAT CHILD REPORTS A SUSPECTED VIOLATION OF PERSONAL RIGHTS → A foster parent, a kinship caregiver, a foster home, a group foster home, a group home or an employee, contractor or agent of a home or facility where a child who is in the care of the department is placed may not take, threaten or cause retaliatory action against a child because that child reports a suspected violation of personal rights.

    Expands the scope of protections against retaliation for reporting violations of personal rights.

  • 8-529

    AS IS FINANCIALLY REASONABLE FOR THE FOSTER PARENT. → as is financially reasonable for the foster parent.

    Clarifies that financial consideration for children's provisions is contingent upon the foster parent's resources.

  • 8-529

    AND TO HAVE ANY RESTRICTIONS EXPLAINED TO THE CHILD IN A MANNER AND LEVEL OF DETAILS DEEMED AGE APPROPRIATE BY THE FOSTER PARENT IN AGREEMENT WITH THE CASEWORKER AND DOCUMENTED IN THE CHILD'S RECORD. → and to have any restrictions explained to the child in a manner and level of details deemed age appropriate by the foster parent in agreement with the caseworker and documented in the child's record.

    Reaffirms the necessity of clearly communicating any restrictions to the child.

  • 8-530.06

    TO CONDUCT RANDOM QUARTERLY DRUG SCREENING OF EMPLOYEES OF A GROUP FOSTER HOME. → to conduct random quarterly drug screenings of employees of a group foster home.

    Standardizes terminology concerning drug screening policies for clarity.

Action History

  1. Vetoed by Governor

  2. Transmit to Governor

  3. PASSED

  4. PASSED

  5. Transmit to House

  6. PASSED

  7. DPA

  8. DPA

  9. Senate Second Reading

  10. Senate First Reading

  11. Transmit to Senate

  12. PASSED

  13. DPA

  14. DPA

  15. W/D

  16. House Second Reading

  17. House First Reading.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 92 not signed on · 14 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (92)

92 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 92 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed

Passed 17 Yea · 12 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 21100
Republican 15101
Total 171201
% of votes cast 57%40%0%3%
How each member voted (30)
Member Party Vote
Analise Ortiz Democrat Nay
Brian Fernandez Democrat Nay
Catherine Miranda Democrat Yea
Denise “Mitzi” Epstein Democrat Nay
Eva Diaz Democrat Nay
Flavio Bravo Democrat Nay
Kiana Sears Democrat Nay
Lauren Kuby Democrat Nay
Lela Alston Democrat Nay
Priya Sundareshan Democrat Nay
Rosanna Gabaldón Democrat Nay
Sally Ann Gonzales Democrat Nay
Theresa Hatathlie Democrat Yea
Carine Werner Republican Yea
David C. Farnsworth Republican Yea
David Gowan Republican Yea
Frank Carroll Republican Yea
Hildy Angius Republican Yea
J.D. Mesnard Republican Yea
Jake Hoffman Republican Nay
Janae Shamp Republican Not Voting
John Kavanagh Republican Yea
Kevin Payne Republican Yea
Mark Finchem Republican Yea
Shawnna Bolick Republican Yea
Thomas "T.J." Shope Republican Yea
Timothy "Tim" Dunn Republican Yea
Venden "Vince" Leach Republican Yea
Warren Petersen Republican Yea
Wendy Rogers Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed

Passed 51 Yea · 2 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 24003
Republican 27204
Total 51207
% of votes cast 85%3%0%12%
How each member voted (60)
Member Party Vote
Aaron Márquez Democrat Yea
Alma Hernandez Democrat Yea
Anna Abeytia Democrat Yea
Betty J Villegas Democrat Yea
Brian Garcia Democrat Yea
Cesar Aguilar Democrat Not Voting
Christopher Mathis Democrat Yea
Consuelo Hernandez Democrat Not Voting
Elda Luna-Nájera Democrat Yea
Janeen Connolly Democrat Yea
Junelle Cavero Democrat Yea
Kevin Volk Democrat Yea
Lorena Austin Democrat Yea
Lupe Contreras Democrat Yea
Lydia Hernandez Democrat Yea
Mae Peshlakai Democrat Yea
Mariana Sandoval Democrat Yea
Myron Tsosie Democrat Yea
Nancy Gutierrez Democrat Yea
Oscar De Los Santos Democrat Yea
Patty Contreras Democrat Yea
Quantá Crews Democrat Yea
Sarah Liguori Democrat Yea
Seth Blattman Democrat Not Voting
Stacey Travers Democrat Yea
Stephanie Simacek Democrat Yea
Stephanie Stahl Hamilton Democrat Yea
Alexander Kolodin Republican Nay
Beverly Pingerelli Republican Yea
Chris Lopez Republican Yea
David Livingston Republican Yea
David Marshall, Sr. Republican Yea
Gail Griffin Republican Yea
James Taylor Republican Yea
Jeff Weninger Republican Yea
John Gillette Republican Yea
Joseph Chaplik Republican Not Voting
Julie Willoughby Republican Yea
Justin Olson Republican Nay
Justin Wilmeth Republican Yea
Khyl Powell Republican Yea
Laurin Hendrix Republican Yea
Leo Biasiucci Republican Yea
Lisa Fink Republican Yea
Lupe Diaz Republican Yea
Matt Gress Republican Not Voting
Michael Carbone Republican Yea
Michael Way Republican Yea
Michele Peña Republican Yea
Neal Carter Republican Yea
Nick Kupper Republican Yea
Pamela Carter Republican Yea
Quang H Nguyen Republican Yea
Rachel Keshel Republican Yea
Ralph Heap Republican Yea
Selina Bliss Republican Yea
Steve Montenegro Republican Yea
Teresa Martinez Republican Not Voting
Tony Rivero Republican Not Voting
Walt Blackman Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 2611?
HB 2611 is sponsored by Walt Blackman (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 2611?
This bill died with 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session. It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 2611?
Track HB 2611 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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