HB2313 - 561R

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

Section 1. Section 8-514.07, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-514.07. Kinship foster care; relative identification and notification; due diligence search

A. If a child is taken into temporary custody, as part of the ongoing search, the department shall use due diligence in an initial search to identify and notify adult relatives of the child and persons with a significant relationship with the child within thirty days after the child is taken into temporary custody.

b. the search to identify adult relatives of the child or persons with a significant relationship with the child 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 adult relatives of the child or persons with a SIGNIFICANT relationship with the child.

5. A comprehensive search of available records that are likely to help identify and locate a person being sought, including:

(a) employment records.

(b) vehicle registration records.

(d) utility accounts.

(e) previous residential addresses.

(f) law enforcement records.

(g) State department of corrections records.

6. Thorough inquiries by the court of the parties during case hearings.

7. any other means the department deems LIKELY to identify adult relatives of the child or persons with a significant relationship with the child.

B. c. within thirty days after the child is taken into temporary custody and at each subsequent hearing, the department shall file with the court information documentation regarding attempts made pursuant to subsection A of this section or as otherwise required by the court to identify and notify adult relatives of the child and persons with a significant relationship with the child. This documentation shall include a detailed narrative explaining the DEPARTMENT'S efforts to consider each potential placement and the specific outcome.

D. The department shall provide notice to adult relatives of the child and persons with a significant relationship with the child who are identified through the search requirements of this section. the notice shall do the following:

1. Specify that the child has been or is being removed from the child's parental custody.

2. Explain the options an adult relative of the child or a person with a significant relationship with the child has to participate in the care or placement of the child, including any options that may be lost by not responding to the notice.

3. Explain that financial assistance and other forms of support are available to adult relatives of the child and persons with a significant relationship with the child with whom the child is placed.

4. Describe the process for becoming a licensed foster parent and the additional services and support that are available for children placed in approved foster homes.

5. Require an adult relative of the child or a person with a SIGNIFICANT relationship with the child to respond within thirty days after receiving notice that the child has been removed from the home.

E. Until a child is placed with an adult relative of the child or person with a significant relationship with the child, the department shall continue to conduct an ongoing search for adult relatives of the child or persons with a significant relationship with the child. The department shall resume SEARCH efforts if ordered by the court, a change in the child's placement occurs or a party shows that continuing the search is in the best interest of the child.

F. The department shall file with the court documentation of both of the following:

1. The completed due diligence search efforts. This documentation shall include:

(a) the names of and relevant information about adult relatives of the child or persons with a significant RELATIONSHIP with the child.

(b) steps taken by the department to locate and contact adult relatives of the child or persons with a SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIp with the child.

(d) dates of each attempted or completed contact with an adult relative of the child or a person with a SIGNIFICANT relationship with the child.

(e) reasons why an adult relative of the child or a person with a significant RELATIONSHIP with the child was not considered for temporary or permanent placement of the child.

2. All efforts for placement of the child THROUGH an interstate compact agreement pursuant to section 8-548. this documentation shall include:

(a) The names of adult relatives of the child or persons with a significant RELATIONSHIP with the child who were considered for an interstate placement.

(b) any pending placement of the child through an interstate compact agreement.

(c) All potential out-of-state placements outside of an interstate compact agreement and the reasons such placements have not been initiated.

g. if an out-of-state placement option exists and the department has failed to file a request with the receiving state pursuant to the requirements of an interstate compact agreement pursuant to section 8-548, the court shaLl enter a finding that the department has not made a due diligence search and shall order the department to file a request with the receiving state pursuant to the terms of the interstate compact agreement. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 8-821, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-821. Taking into temporary custody; medical examination; placement; interference; violation; classification; definition

A. A child shall be taken into temporary custody only pursuant to one of the following:

1. An order of the superior court.

2. Subsection D E of this section.

3. The consent of the child's parent or guardian.

B. The superior court, on a dependency petition filed by an interested person, a peace officer, a child welfare investigator or a child safety worker under oath or on a sworn statement or testimony by a peace officer, a child welfare investigator or a child safety worker, may issue an order authorizing the department to take temporary custody of a child on finding that probable cause exists to believe that temporary custody is clearly necessary to protect the child from suffering abuse or neglect and it is contrary to the child's welfare to remain in the home.

C. If a child is taken into temporary custody pursuant to this section, the child's sibling shall also be taken into temporary custody only if independent probable cause exists to believe that temporary custody is clearly necessary to protect the child from suffering abuse or neglect.

D. if a CHILD is TAKEN into temporary custody pursuant to this section, the court shall order the DEPARTMENT to initiate a due diligence search pursuant to section 8-514.07.

D. E. A child may be taken into temporary custody without a court order by a peace officer, a child welfare investigator or a child safety worker if temporary custody is clearly necessary to protect the child because exigent circumstances exist.

E. F. In determining if a child should be taken into temporary custody, the court, peace officer, child welfare investigator or child safety worker shall take into consideration as a paramount concern the child's health and safety.

F. G. A person who takes a child into custody because an exigent circumstance described in subsection K L, paragraph 2 of this section exists shall immediately have the child examined by a physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 or a health care provider who is licensed pursuant to title 32 and who has specific training in evaluations of child abuse. After the examination the person shall release the child to the custody of the parent or guardian of the child unless the examination reveals abuse. Temporary custody of a child taken into custody because an exigent circumstance described in subsection K L, paragraph 2 of this section exists shall not exceed twelve hours.

G. H. A child who is taken into temporary custody pursuant to this article shall not be held in a police station, jail or lockup where adults or juveniles who are charged with or convicted of a crime are detained.

H. I. A child shall not remain in temporary custody for more than seventy-two hours excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays unless a dependency petition is filed.

I. J. To execute an order authorizing temporary custody, a peace officer may use reasonable force to enter any building in which the person named in the removal authorization is or is reasonably believed to be.

J. K. A person who knowingly interferes with the taking of a child into temporary custody under this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.

K. l. For the purposes of this section, "exigent circumstances" means there is probable cause to believe that the child is likely to suffer serious harm in the time it would take to obtain a court order for removal and either of the following is true:

1. There is no less intrusive alternative to taking temporary custody of the child that would reasonably and sufficiently protect the child's health or safety.

2. Probable cause exists to believe that the child is a victim of sexual abuse or abuse involving serious physical injury that can be diagnosed only by a physician who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 or a health care provider who is licensed pursuant to title 32 and who has specific training in evaluations of child abuse. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Section 8-823, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-823. Notice of taking into temporary custody

A. If a child is taken into temporary custody pursuant to this article, the interested person, peace officer or child safety worker taking the child into custody shall provide written notice within six hours to the parent or guardian of the child, unless:

1. The parent or guardian is present when the child is taken into custody, then written and verbal notice shall be provided immediately.

2. The residence of the parent or guardian is outside this state and notice cannot be provided within six hours, then written notice shall be provided within twenty-four hours.

3. The residence of the parent or guardian is not ascertainable, then reasonable efforts shall be made to locate and notify the parent or guardian of the child as soon as possible.

B. The written notice shall contain a signature line for the parent or guardian to acknowledge receipt of both written and verbal notices. The written and verbal notices shall contain the name of the person and agency taking the child into custody, the location from which the child was taken and all of the following information:

1. Specific reasons as to why the child is being removed. The notice shall list the specific factors that caused the determination of imminent danger.

2. Services that are available to the parent or guardian, including a statement of parental rights and information on how to contact the ombudsman-citizens aide's office and an explanation of the services that office offers.

3. The date and time of the taking into custody.

4. The name and telephone number of the agency responsible for the child.

5. A statement of the reasons for temporary custody of the child.

6. A statement that the child must be returned within seventy-two hours excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays unless a dependency petition is filed and a statement that a child in temporary custody for examination pursuant to because an exigent circumstance described in section 8-821, subsection D L, paragraph 2 exists must be returned within twelve hours unless abuse or neglect is diagnosed.

7. One of the following:

(a) If a dependency petition has not been filed or if the information prescribed in subdivision (b) is not available, a statement that if a dependency petition is filed, the parent or guardian will be provided a written notice no not later than twenty-four hours after the petition is filed that contains the information prescribed in subdivision (b).

(b) In all other cases, the date, time and place of the preliminary protective hearing to be held pursuant to section 8-824 and the requirements of subsection D of this section.

8. A statement of the right of the parent or guardian to counsel and that counsel will be appointed pursuant to section 8-221 through the juvenile court if a dependency petition is filed and the person is indigent.

9. Information regarding the ability of the person about whom the report was made to provide a verbal, telephonic or written response to the allegations. A verbal response shall be included in the written report of the investigation. A written response, including any documentation, shall be included in the case file.

10. A statement that the hearing may result in further proceedings to terminate parental rights.

11. A statement that the parent or guardian must immediately provide to the department the names, the type of relationship and all available information necessary to locate persons who are related to the child or who have a significant relationship with the child. If there is not sufficient information available to locate a relative or person with a significant relationship with the child, the parent shall inform the department of this fact. If the parent or guardian obtains information regarding the existence or location of a relative or person with a significant relationship with the child, the parent or guardian shall immediately provide that information to the department.

12. A statement that the parent or guardian must be prepared to provide to the court at the preliminary protective hearing the names, the type of relationship and all available information necessary to locate persons who are related to the child or who have a significant relationship with the child.

C. The child safety worker shall provide the parent or guardian with the notice even if the parent or guardian refuses to sign the acknowledgment.

D. Immediately before the time of the preliminary protective hearing, the persons described in section 8-824, subsection B shall meet and attempt to reach an agreement about placement of the child, services to be provided to the child, parent or guardian and visitation of the child. The parties shall meet with their counsel, if any, before this meeting. Consideration shall be given to the availability of reasonable services to the parent or guardian and the child's health and safety shall be a paramount concern. The persons described in section 8-824, subsection C may attend the meeting to reach an agreement.

E. If a dependency petition is filed by the department, the child safety worker is responsible for delivering the notice of the preliminary protective hearing prescribed in subsection B, paragraph 7 of this section to the parent or guardian. In all other cases, the person who files the dependency petition is responsible for delivery of this notice to the parent or guardian. If the location of the parent or guardian is unknown, the person who is responsible for serving this notice shall make reasonable efforts to locate and notify the parent or guardian. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4. Section 8-824, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-824. Preliminary protective hearing; probable cause; appointment of counsel

A. The court shall hold a preliminary protective hearing to review the taking into temporary custody of a child pursuant to section 8-821 not fewer than five days nor more than seven days after the child is taken into custody, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. If clearly necessary to prevent abuse or neglect, to preserve the rights of a party or for other good cause shown, the court may grant one continuance that does not exceed five days.

B. The following persons shall be present at the preliminary protective hearing:

1. The child's parents or guardian, unless they cannot be located or they fail to appear in response to the notice.

2. Counsel for the parents if one has been requested or retained.

3. The child's guardian ad litem or attorney.

4. The child safety worker and additional representatives of the department if requested by the department.

5. Counsel for the child safety worker.

C. If the court finds that it is in the best interests of the child, the court may allow the following to be present at the preliminary protective hearing:

1. The child.

2. Any relative or other interested person with whom the child is or might be placed as described in section 8-845, subsection A.

3. Witnesses called by the parties.

4. An advocate or interested person as requested by the parent or guardian.

5. Other persons who have knowledge of or an interest in the welfare of the child.

D. At the hearing, the court shall advise the parent or guardian of the following rights:

1. The right to counsel, including appointed counsel if the parent or guardian is indigent.

2. The right to cross-examine all witnesses who are called to testify against the parent or guardian.

3. The right to trial by court on the allegations in the petition.

4. The right to use the process of the court to compel the attendance of witnesses.

E. At the hearing, the court:

1. Shall receive a report of any agreement reached pursuant to section 8-823, subsection D. The report may be made orally.

2. Shall provide an opportunity for the child's parent or guardian, if present, and any other person who has relevant knowledge, to provide relevant testimony.

3. May limit testimony and evidence that is beyond the scope of the removal of the child, the child's need for continued protection, placement, visitation and services to be provided to the child and family.

4. May take into consideration as a mitigating factor the participation of the parent or guardian in the healthy families program established by section 8-481.

5. Shall take into consideration as a mitigating factor the availability of reasonable services to the parent or guardian to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child and the effort of the parent or guardian to obtain and participate in these services.

6. Shall inform the child's parent or guardian that the hearing may result in further proceedings to terminate parental rights.

7. Shall order the parent or guardian to provide the court with the names, the type of relationship and all available information necessary to locate persons who are related to the child or who have a significant relationship with the child. If there is not sufficient information available to locate a relative or person with a significant relationship with the child, the parent or guardian shall inform the court of this fact. The court shall further order the parent or guardian to inform the department immediately if the parent or guardian becomes aware of information related to the existence or location of a relative or person with a significant relationship to the child.

8. Shall inform the parent that substantially neglecting or wilfully refusing to remedy the circumstances that cause the child to be in an out-of-home placement, including refusing to participate in reunification services, is grounds for termination of parental rights to a child.

9. Shall give paramount consideration to the health and safety of the child.

10. Shall determine whether the department is attempting to identify and assess placement of the child with a grandparent or another member of the child's extended family including a person who has a significant relationship with the child.

11. Shall inform a foster parent, a preadoptive parent or a member of the child's extended family with whom the department has placed the child of the right to be heard in any proceeding to be held with respect to the child.

F. The petitioner has the burden of presenting evidence as to whether there is probable cause to believe that continued temporary custody is clearly necessary to prevent abuse or neglect pending the hearing on the dependency petition.

G. The department must make reasonable efforts to place a child with siblings and, if that is not possible, to maintain frequent visitation or other ongoing contact between all siblings.

H. If the child is in the temporary custody of the department, the department shall submit not later than the day before the hearing a written report to the court and the parties that states:

1. The reasons the child was removed from the parent's or guardian's custody.

2. Any services that have been provided to the child or the child's parent or guardian to prevent removal.

3. The need, if any, for continued temporary custody.

4. The types of service needed to facilitate the return of the child to the custody of the child's parents or guardian.

5. If the child is not placed with a grandparent, whether the child has any relatives or other interested parties as described in section 8-845, subsection A who may be able and willing to take temporary custody.

6. Any services that are requested by the parent or guardian but that are not provided and the reasons the services were not provided.

7. What efforts the department has made to place siblings together, and if they are not placed together, the specific reasons why this did not occur.

8. If the placement of siblings together was not possible for all or any of the siblings, efforts the department has made to facilitate communications among siblings and a proposal for frequent visitation or contact pursuant to subsection G of this section. If frequent visitation or contact with siblings is not recommended, the department shall state the reasons why this would be contrary to the child's or a sibling's safety or well-being.

9. A proposal for visitation with the child's parents or guardian and the results of any visitation that has occurred since the child was removed. The requirements of this paragraph do not apply to a specific parent or guardian if there is a court order relating to a criminal case that prohibits that parent or guardian from contact with the child. Before the department allows visitation it must first determine that there are no court orders relating to any superior court criminal case that prohibit the parent or guardian from contact with the child.

10. A proposed case plan for services to the family.

11. the department's efforts to identify, notify and assess adult relatives of the child and persons with a SIGNIFICANT relationship with the child pursuant to section 8-514.07.

I. The parent or guardian shall state whether the parent or guardian admits or denies the allegations in the petition filed pursuant to section 8-841. If the parent or guardian admits or does not contest the allegations in the petition, the court shall determine that the parent or guardian understands the rights described in subsection D of this section and that the parent or guardian knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waives these rights.

J. At the hearing, if the child is not returned to the parent or guardian, the court shall:

1. Enter orders regarding the placement of the child pending the determination of the dependency petition and visitation, if any.

2. If a relative is identified as a possible placement for the child, notify the relative of the right to be heard in any proceeding to be held with respect to the child.

3. Determine if the tasks and services set forth in the case plan are reasonable and necessary to carry out the case plan. END_STATUTE

Sec. 5. Section 8-842, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-842. Initial dependency hearing; deadlines

A. Except as provided in section 8-826, the court shall set the initial dependency hearing within twenty-one days after the petition is filed. If service by publication is required, the court may set an initial dependency hearing within a time period to allow for publication pursuant to the rules of procedure for the juvenile court.

B. At the initial dependency hearing, the court shall:

1. Order determine if the parent or guardian to provide is providing the court and the department with the names, the type of relationship and all available information necessary to locate persons who are related to the child or who have a significant relationship with the child. If there is not sufficient information available to locate a relative or person with a significant relationship with the child, the parent or guardian shall inform the court of this fact. The court shall order the parent or guardian to inform the department immediately if the parent or guardian becomes aware of information related to the existence or location of a relative or person with a significant relationship with the child.

2. Determine that the department is conducting a due diligence search pursuant to section 8-514.07 and attempting to identify and assess placement of the child with a grandparent or another member of the child's extended family including a person who has a significant relationship with the child.

3. If the child has siblings, determine that the department is attempting to identify and assess placement of the child with the child's siblings if this is possible and is in the child's best interests.

C. Unless the court has ordered in-home intervention, the dependency adjudication hearing shall be completed within ninety days after service of the dependency petition. END_STATUTE