ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: HHS DPA/SE 9-0-0-0

HB 2421: adoption; removal; parental rights; suspension

S.E. DCS; report requirement

Sponsor:  Representative Barto, LD 15

Caucus & COW

Summary of the Strike-Everything Amendment to HB 2421

Overview

Requires the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) to submit a report to the Chairs of the Health and Human Services Committees on system improvements, an evaluation of other states programs and mechanisms for suspending parental rights for children with complex trauma by October 1, 2020.

History

The mission of DCS is to successfully engage children and families to ensure safety, strengthen families, and achieve permanency. This is accomplished by DCS being: 1) child-centered; 2) family-focused; 3) successful in engagement through respect of the family; 4) active in listening and providing families with an invitation to participate in the decision making process; 5) aware that the entire community along with various partners are responsible for  keeping children safe; 6) a professional environment with an excellent workforce; 7) culturally responsive; and 8) accountable and transparent.

Provisions

1.    ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteRequires DCS to report to the Chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Health and Human Services Committees by October 1, 2020 on the following:

a)    System improvements for children who are adopted out of foster care with complex trauma that results in dangerous behaviors;

b)    An evaluation, including outcome data, of programs and services that are offered by other states to address complex trauma; and

c)    Mechanisms for suspending parental rights when the adoptive child is a danger to the family as corroborated by law enforcement while maintaining the goal of permanency as required by federal law or other alternatives to terminating parental rights. (Sec. 1)

Amendments

Committee on Health and Human Services

1.    The strike-everything amendment was adopted.

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5.    Initials IG              Caucus & COW

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