ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: HHS DP 10-0-0-0 | 3rd Read DPA 57-0-2-0

Senate: HHS DP 6-0-1-0 | 3rd Read DP 28-0-2-0

HB 2454: kinship foster care; hearings; reports

Sponsor: Representative Montenegro, LD 29

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Clarifies that the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) must file with the court documentation regarding attempts to identify and notify adult relatives of the child and persons with a significant relationship with the child (kinship caregivers) within 30 days after the child is taken into temporary custody and at each subsequent review or permanency planning hearing.

History

If a child is taken into temporary custody, as part of the ongoing search, DCS must use due diligence in an initial search to identify and notify a kinship caregiver within 30 days after the child is taken into temporary custody. The search to identify a kinship caregiver must include: 1) an interview with the child's parent; 2) an interview with the child; 3) interviews with identified adult relatives; 4) interviews with other persons who are likely to have information regarding the location of a kinship caregiver; 5) a comprehensive search of available records that are likely to help identify and locate a person being sought; 6) thorough inquiries by the court of the parties during case hearings; and 7) any other means DCS deems likely to identify a kinship caregiver.

DCS is required to file with the court documentation regarding attempts made to identify and notify a kinship caregiver within 30 days after the child is taken into temporary custody and at each subsequent hearing. The documentation must include a detailed narrative explaining DCS's efforts to consider each potential placement and the specific outcome (A.R.S. § 8-514.07).

Provisions

1.   Clarifies that DCS must file with the court documentation regarding attempts to identify and notify a kinship caregiver within 30 days after the child is taken into temporary custody and at each subsequent review or permanency planning hearing. (Sec. 1)☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

2.   Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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6.                     HB 2454

7.   Initials AG           Page 0 Transmitted

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