Ariz. Admin. Code § 21-9-204

Current through Register Vol. 31, No. 2, January 10, 2025

Section R21-9-204 - Department Procedures for Processing License Applications; Licensing Time Frames

A. In this Section, a complete application package means:

1. For an initial license, the items listed in R21-9-202 for an in-state adoption agency and R21-9-203 for an out of state adoption agency or an adoption agency engaged in foreign adoptions; or

2. For a renewal license, the items listed in R21-9-207.

B. Within 15 days of receiving an initial or renewal license application package, OLR shall conduct an administrative review to determine whether all required documentation and information has been submitted. Within the 15-day administrative review time-frame:

1. If the application is complete, OLR shall immediately move the application forward for a substantive review; or

2. If the application is incomplete, OLR shall issue a Notice of Incomplete Application to the adoption agency applicant containing a list of items and information needed to complete the application.

a. The adoption agency applicant shall have 60 days to supply the missing items or information to OLR.

b. The time-frame for the administrative completeness review shall be suspended from the date OLR issues the Notice of Incomplete Application to the date that OLR receives the missing item or information.

c. If the adoption agency applicant does not supply the requested items or information within 60 days of the date of the Notice of Incomplete Application, OLR shall close the file. Once closed, the adoption agency applicant may reapply for licensure.

d. If the adoption agency applicant supplies the required items and information to OLR within 60 days, OLR shall conduct a substantive review of the application.

C. An adoption agency applicant whose file has been closed under subsection (B)(2)(c) and who reapplies no later than 90 days after the date of the notice closing the application, may reopen the application provided:

1. The Adoption agency applicant schedules a conference with OLR, and

2. The Adoption agency applicant provides to OLR the missing information or items identified in the Notice of Incomplete Application.

D. Within the 90 days following the administrative completeness review of an application, and if the application is complete, OLR shall complete a substantive review to evaluate the adoption agency applicant's fitness for licensure. Within the 90-day substantive review time-frame, OLR:

1. May request that the adoption agency applicant provide additional information if needed to evaluate the suitability of the adoption agency applicant for licensure.

a. The adoption agency applicant shall have an additional 15 days to provide the information to OLR.

b. The time-frame for the substantive review shall be suspended from the date OLR requests additional information to the date OLR receives the information.

2. Shall make the licensing decision under R21-9-205.

E. Within an overall time-frame of 105 days upon receipt of a complete application, OLR shall:

1. Complete an administrative review of an application,

2. Complete a substantive review of an adoption agency applicant's fitness, and

3. Notify the adoption agency applicant of the decision to issue or deny a license.

F. For the purpose of A.R.S. & 41-1073, OLR establishes the following licensing time-frames for both an initial and renewal license:

1. Administrative completeness review time-frame: 15 days;

2. Substantive review time-frame: 90 days; and

3. Overall time-frame: 105 days.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-9-204

New section made by exempt rulemaking at 21 A.A.R. 3524, effective 1/24/2016.