PREFILED    DEC 30 2025

REFERENCE TITLE: DCS cases; attorney appearances

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SB 1081

Introduced by

Senator Finchem

AN ACT

amending title 8, chapter 4, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 8-469.03; relating to the department of child safety.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 8, chapter 4, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 8-469.03, to read:

START_STATUTE8-469.03. Department cases; attorney appearances

Notwithstanding any other law, in a department case involving dependency, adoption, termination of parental rights or guardianship, an individual attorney who represents the department may not appear before a judge if the individual attorney has appeared before that same judge within the department's previous five cases. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Legislative intent and findings

A. The legislature intends to promote the interests of biological families and avoid removal and placement of minors in foster care when possible, even to the extent of kinship promotion.  Removal of a minor must be the last viable option.

B. The legislature finds that the potential for bias is inherently countered and undue influence through familiarity is minimized by ensuring the rotation of attorneys who appear in front of various judges and courtrooms.