Senate Republicans Advance Plan to Support Law Enforcement, Safeguard Runaway Youth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Arizona Senate Republicans are taking steps to enhance law enforcement and protect our most vulnerable children, especially runaway and at-risk youth, by advancing legislation that invests in local police, boosts investigative efforts, and improves oversight of the child welfare system.
SB 1550, sponsored by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman David Farnsworth, passed the Senate this week and is now being considered by the House of Representatives ahead of budget negotiations. The bill appropriates $1,255,500 to the Town of Queen Creek to support the Police Department in launching a three-year pilot program focused on preventing runaway youth incidents, protecting at-risk children from exploitation, and strengthening investigations involving vulnerable minors. It also improves coordination between care providers and state agencies, with the goal of creating a model that can be replicated statewide to better protect children.
Queen Creek provides a unique setting for this effort due to the substantial increase in missing-from-care incidents involving youth placed in residential treatment campuses and group-home environments serving some of Arizona's most vulnerable young people. This rise has prompted renewed calls for reform and greater accountability within the system. For months, Senator Farnsworth has worked closely with group homes and local leaders to develop a three-pillar strategy—prevention, response, and investigation—that serves as the basis for SB 1550.
"Protecting our children is crucial and should unite us all, beyond political lines," said Senator Farnsworth. "Every moment counts when a child is in danger or in state care, and we must ensure law enforcement has the necessary tools to act swiftly and effectively to prevent exploitation. Our child safety system should be transparent and prioritize placing children in loving, safe environments, ideally with family. This bill enhances support for law enforcement, encourages collaboration among agencies, and underscores our commitment to caring for our most vulnerable. We aspire to create a model that can be emulated across Arizona, ensuring that every child feels safe and valued. Together, we can guarantee that protecting our children and strengthening law enforcement remain top priorities."
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov