HB 2604
Initials NM/DC Page 1 Caucus & COW
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
House: JUD DPA 8-1-0-0 | APPROP DPA 18-0-0-0
HB 2604: child and family representation; appropriation
Sponsor: Representative Nguyen, LD 1
Caucus & COW
Overview
Appropriates $200,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2026, to the Administrative
Office of the Courts (AOC), to establish a child and family representation program (Program).
History
The court must appoint an attorney for a child in certain circumstances, such as proceedings
involving the termination of parental rights, dependency-related proceedings or delinquency
proceedings. An attorney is appointed before the first hearing and must represent the child
at all stages of the proceedings. Provided that the counsel is not voluntarily waived, the court
must also appoint an attorney to indigent parents or guardians (A.R.S. § 8-221).
Provisions
1. Establishes a Program in the AOC, to ensure uniform and high-quality representation
and collaboration with the superior courts, judges and attorneys. (Sec. 1)
2. Instructs the Supreme Court to employ the personnel needed to administer the Program.
(Sec. 1)
3. Outlines program requirements, including assessing, making recommendations, and
auditing. (Sec. 1)
4. States that the Program is to assess, document and report the effectiveness of counsel
and the measures taken to determine it. (Sec. 1)
5. Appropriates $200,000 and one FTE from the state GF to the AOC, for the purpose of
implementing the Program in FY 2026. (Sec. 2)
Amendments
Committee on Judiciary and Committee on Appropriations
1. Clarifies who the Program applies to and its reporting requirements.
2. Asserts the Legislature must review if the Program should continue every 5 years,
beginning in 2030.
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note