HB 2454
Initials AG Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: HHS DP 10-0-0-0
HB 2454: kinship foster care; hearings; reports
Sponsor: Representative Montenegro, LD 29
House Engrossed
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)
2. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note