/ Modified apr 25, 2019 3:24 p.m.

Arizona Ups Oversight of Groups That House Migrant Children

Most of the new law's provisions take effect immediately.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed a bill to increase state oversight of federally funded facilities that house migrant children who come to the United States alone, and most of the new law’s provisions take effect immediately.

Organizations like Southwest Key Programs don’t have to start cross-checking worker backgrounds with Arizona’s child welfare agency until September. But they do have to immediately start telling state health officials when something happens at a facility that could put a kid in danger.

The new law’s most important part requires organizations to tell the state shortly after agreeing to house migrant children for the federal government, said its author, State Sen. Kate Brophy McGee (R).

“[Migrant kids] come in waves. And sometimes these facilities stand empty. And sometimes they’re full to the gills. Now we’ll know,” she said.

The new law gives the state health director power to waive inspections of facilities for migrant kids and also lets her order surprise visits.

Fronteras Desk
This story is from the Fronteras Desk, a collaboration of Southwestern public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Fronteras Desk.
By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona