8-509

8-509. Licensing of foster homes; renewal of
license; provisional license

A. The division shall license and certify foster homes. Licenses are valid for a
period of one year.

B. The division shall not issue a license without satisfactory proof that the
foster parent or parents have completed six actual hours of approved initial foster
parent training as set forth in section 8-503 and that each foster parent and each other
adult member of the household has a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to
section 41-1758.07. The foster parent and each other adult member of the household must
certify on forms that are provided by the division and that are notarized whether the
foster parent or other adult member of the household 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.

C. The division shall not renew a license without satisfactory proof that the
foster parent or parents have completed six actual hours of approved ongoing foster
parent training as set forth in section 8-503.

D. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsections B and C of this section, if the
division determines a condition of hardship to the foster parent or parents, the division
may issue a provisional license for a period not to exceed six months. A provisional
license may not be renewed.

E. Child welfare agencies that submit foster homes for licensing shall conduct an
investigation of the foster home pursuant to licensing rules of the division. The
division shall conduct investigations of all other foster homes. If the foster home meets
all requirements set by the division, the agency shall submit an application stating the
foster home's qualifications to the division. The agency may also recommend the types of
licensing and certification to be granted to the foster home.

F. The division shall accept an adoptive home certification study as a licensing
home study if the study has been updated within the past three months to include the
information necessary to determine whether the home meets foster care licensing
standards.

G. This section shall not apply when the child is placed in a home by a means other
than by court order and when the home receives no compensation from the state or any
political subdivision of the state.

H. The division shall not prohibit a person operating a licensed foster home from
applying for or receiving compensation as a foster home parent due to employment with the
state of Arizona.