SB1186 - 561R

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

Section 1. Section 8-529, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-529. Children in foster care and kinship foster care; rights

A. A child in foster care and kinship foster care has the following rights:

1. To appropriate care and treatment in the least restrictive setting available that can meet the child's needs according to the best judgment of the foster parent.

2. To live in a safe, healthy and comfortable placement where the child can receive reasonable protection from harm and appropriate privacy for personal needs and where the child is treated with respect.

3. to be placed with a relative when such placement is in the best interest of the child.

4. To be placed with or in close proximity to the child's siblings when possible and to visit and have contact with siblings and family members when it is in the best interest of the child.

3. 5. To know why the child is in foster care and what will happen to the child and to the child's family, including siblings, and case plans.

4. 6. Whenever possible, to be placed with a foster family that can accommodate the child's communication needs.

5. 7. To be disciplined in a manner that is appropriate to the child's level of maturity and not be subjected to unauthorized discipline methods.

6. 8. To attend community, school, extracurricular and religious services and activities of the child's choice to the extent that it is appropriate for the child, as planned and discussed with the child's placement worker and caseworker and based on caregiver ability if transportation is available through a responsible party.

7. 9. To go to school and receive an education that fits the child's age and individual needs. if remaining in the child's current school is not in the child's best interest, the child has the right to be enrolled in the least restrictive school available and to receive credit for completed coursework.

8. 10. To training in personal care, hygiene and grooming.

9. 11. To clothing that fits comfortably and is adequate to protect the child against natural elements such as rain, snow, wind, cold and sun.

10. 12. To have personal possessions at home that are not offensive to the foster family and to acquire additional possessions within reasonable limits, as planned and discussed with the child's foster parent, placement worker and caseworker, and based on caregiver ability.

11. 13. To personal space, in the foster home preferably, in the child's foster home bedroom for storing clothing and belongings.

12. 14. To healthy foods in healthy portions that are appropriate for the child's age.

13. 15. To comply with any approved visitation plan, and to have any restrictions explained to the child in a manner and level of details deemed age appropriate by the foster parent in agreement with the caseworker and documented in the child's record.

14. 16. If the child is six years of age or older, to receive contact information for the child's caseworker, attorney or advocate and to speak with them in private if necessary.

17. To be represented by an attorney in all proceedings initiated pursuant to this title.

15. 18. To participate in age appropriate child's service planning and permanency planning meetings and to be given a copy or summary of each service plan and service plan review. The child may request someone to participate on the child's behalf or to support the child in this participation.

16. 19. To attend the child's court hearing and speak to the judge.

17. 20. To have the child's records and personal information kept private and discussed only when it is about the child's care except the foster parent shall have full access to the records to determine if the child will be successful in the home. During the foster placement, if the foster parent requests to view the record upon on experiencing problems with the child's adjustment, the full record shall be made available for viewing by the foster parent.

21. to receive medical, dental, vision and mental health services and to be informed about diagnoses and treatment options as is developmentally appropriate.

18. 22. To be free of unnecessary or excessive medication.

19. 23. To receive emotional, mental health or chemical dependency treatment separately from adults who are receiving services, as planned and discussed with the child's placement worker and caseworker, as is financially reasonable for the foster parent.

20. 24. To report a violation of personal rights specified in this section without fear of punishment, interference, coercion or retaliation, except that an appropriate level of punishment may be applied if the child is proven to have maliciously or wrongfully accused the foster parent.

21. 25. To be informed in writing of the name, address, telephone number and purpose of the Arizona protection and advocacy system for disability assistance.

22. 26. To understand and have a copy of the rights listed in this section.

B. A child in foster care or kinship foster care who is at least sixteen fourteen years of age has the following rights:

1. To attend preparation for adult living classes and activities as appropriate to the child's case plan, as is financially reasonable for the foster parent.

2. To a transition plan that includes career planning and assistance with enrolling in an educational or vocational job training program.

3. To be informed of educational opportunities, before the child leaves foster care including assistance and funding for postsecondary and vocational education.

4. To assistance in obtaining an independent residency when the child is too old to remain in foster care from the child's caseworker, attorney or advocate.

5. To request a court hearing for a court to determine if the child has the capacity to consent to medical care that is directly related to an illness, disease, deformity or other physical malady.

6. To receive help with obtaining a driver license, social security number, birth certificate or state identification card, except that and credit reports with assistance in interpreting the reports and resolving inaccuracies in the report. The foster parent shall have discretion to determine if the child is responsible and mature enough to become a licensed driver.

7. To receive necessary personal information within thirty days after leaving foster care, including the child's birth certificate, immunization records and information contained in the child's education portfolio and health passport.

C. This section does not establish any legally enforceable right or cause of action on behalf of any person.

8. To participate in or reenter extended foster care when the child is at least eighteen and under twenty-one years of age.

c. The department shall provide information regarding a child's rights pursuant to this section and assistance in understanding and enforcing these rights to each child who enters foster care or kinship foster care or when there is a change in the child's foster care plan. The information shall also include the telephone number and email address of the department, the department's office of the ombudsman and the Ombudsman-Citizens aide. a copy of these rights shall be posted in a conspicuous place in all foster care, kinship foster care and group homes.

D. If a child who is in foster care or kinship foster care believes that the child's rights under this section have been violated, the child or the child's representative may:

1. file a complaint with the department, the department's office of the Ombudsman or the Ombudsman-Citizens aide pursuant to section 41-1376. A formal GRIEVANCE may be INITIATED with the ombudsman at any time.

2. Notify the juvenile court in the child's ongoing dependency, severance or adoption proceeding, either orally or in writing, that the child's rights are being violated and request appropriate equitable relief. The court shall act on the notification as necessary within its discretion to promote the best interest of the child.

e. THE RIGHTS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION DO NOT establish AN INDEPENDENT CAUSE OF ACTION. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 8-530, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-530. Foster parents and kinship foster care parents; rights

A. A foster parent or kinship foster care parent in this state has the following rights:

1. To be treated with consideration and respect for the foster parent or kinship foster care parent's personal dignity and privacy.

2. To be included as a valued member of the team that provides services to the foster child, including participation in decision-making meetings.

3. To receive support services that assist the foster parent or kinship foster care parent to care for the child in the foster home, including open and timely responses from agency personnel.

4. To be informed of all information regarding the child that will impact the foster home or family life during the care of the foster child.

5. To contribute to the permanency plan for the child in the foster home.

6. To have placement information kept confidential when it is necessary to protect the foster parent or kinship foster care parent and the members of the foster parent's or kinship foster care parent's household.

7. To be assisted in dealing with family loss and separation when a child leaves the foster home.

8. To be informed of all agency policies and procedures that relate to the foster parent's or kinship foster care parent's role as a foster parent or kinship foster care parent.

9. To receive training that will enhance the foster parent's or kinship foster care parent's skills and ability to cope as a foster parent or kinship foster care parent.

10. to report a violation of the rights specified in this section without fear of punishment, interference, coercion or retaliation.

10. 11. To be able to receive services and reach personnel on a twenty-four hour, seven days per week basis.

11. 12. To be granted a reasonable plan for respite from the role of foster parent or kinship foster care parent.

12. 13. To confidentiality regarding issues that arise in the foster home.

13. 14. To not be discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, color, creed, sex, national origin, age or physical disability.

14. 15. To receive an evaluation on the foster parent's or kinship foster care parent's performance.

B. This section does not establish any legally enforceable right or cause of action on behalf of any person.

16. To be informed when a child who was previously placed with a foster parent or kinship foster care parent has reentered the foster care system or when a child who is currently placed in foster care or kinship foster care becomes available for adoption.

B. The department shall provide information REGARDING a foster parent's or kinship foster care parent's rights pursuant to this section and assistance in UNDERSTANDING and enforcing these rights to each foster parent and kinship foster care parent when a child is placed in a foster parent's or kinship foster care parent's care or when there is a change in the child's foster care or kinship foster care plan. The information shall include the telephone number and email address of the department, the department's office of the ombudsman and the Ombudsman-Citizens aide.

C. If a foster parent or kinship foster care parent believes that the person's rights under this section have been violated, the foster parent or kinship foster care parent or the foster parent's or kinship foster care parent's representative may:

1. file a complaint with the department, the department's office of the ombudsman or the Ombudsman-Citizens aide pursuant to section 41-1376. A formal grievance may be initiated with the ombudsman at any time.

2. NOTIFY THE JUVENILE COURT IN THE CHILD'S ONGOING DEPENDENCY, SEVERANCE OR ADOPTION PROCEEDING, EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, THAT THE FOSTER PARENT'S OR KINSHIP FOSTER CARE PARENT'S RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED AND REQUEST APPROPRIATE EQUITABLE RELIEF. THE COURT SHALL ACT ON THE NOTIFICATION AS NECESSARY WITHIN ITS DISCRETION TO PROMOTE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD.

D. THE RIGHTS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION DO NOT establish AN INDEPENDENT CAUSE OF ACTION. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Section 8-803, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-803. Limitation of authority; duty to inform

A. On initial contact with a parent, guardian or custodian under investigation pursuant to this article, a child safety worker shall:

1. Inform the family, both verbally and in writing, making reasonable efforts to receive written acknowledgement from the parent, guardian, or custodian, of receipt of all of the following information:

1. (a) That the family is under investigation by the department.

2. (b) The specific complaint or allegation made against that person.

3. (c) That the worker has no legal authority to compel the family to cooperate with the investigation or to receive child safety services offered pursuant to the investigation.

(d) That absent a court order, the family may deny the worker entry into the family's home.

(e) That the family has the right to seek the advice of an attorney and to have an attorney present when questioned by a worker.

(f) That anything the person says or writes may be used in a court proceeding.

(g) That the family may refuse to do any of the following:

(i) sign a release of information document.

(ii) consent to take a drug or alcohol test.

(iii) submit to a mental health evaluation.

4. (h) The worker's authority to petition the juvenile court for a determination that a child is dependent.

5. (i) The person's right to file a complaint with the ombudsman-citizens aide pursuant to section 41-1376. The worker shall provide the telephone number and email address of the ombudsman-citizens aide.

6. (j) The person's right to appeal determinations made by the department.

7. (k) Information outlining parental rights under the laws of the state.

2. Provide information to the family about the investigation and child safety decision-making process, document that this INFORMATION has been provided and make reasonable efforts to receive written acknowledgement of receipt of this information. If the worker's reasonable efforts to obtain written acknowledgement of receipt of the information are unsuccessful, the worker shall document the reason why efforts to obtain written acknowledgement were unsuccessful.

B. The child safety worker shall also inform the person about whom the report was made about that person's right to respond to the allegations either verbally or in writing, including any documentation, and to have this information considered in determining if the child is in need of child safety services. The worker shall tell the person that anything the person says or writes can be used in a court proceeding. If the person makes a verbal response, the worker shall include the response in the written report of the investigation. If the person makes a written response, including any documentation, the worker shall include this response and the documentation in the case file. Information provided in response to the allegations shall be considered during the investigation by the worker. The worker shall maintain the response and documentation in the case file and provide this information to the court before a hearing or trial relating to the dependency petition.

C. If the family declines to cooperate with the investigation or to accept or to participate in the offered services, or if the worker otherwise believes that the child should be adjudicated dependent, the worker may file with the juvenile court a petition requesting that the child in need of child safety services be adjudicated dependent.

D. Refusal to cooperate in the investigation or to participate in the offered services does not constitute grounds for temporary custody of a child except if there is a clear necessity for temporary custody as provided in section 8-821. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4. Section 8-809, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE8-809. Parents' rights; information on website; rule changes

A. The department shall provide on its website information on parents' rights pursuant to section 8-809.01 and other information to assist parents and guardians in understanding the process of removal of a child from the home.

B. The department shall provide on its home page a conspicuous link to the information prescribed in subsection A of this section.

C. The department shall publish on its website any final rule within ten days after the department files the final rule with the secretary of state. END_STATUTE

Sec. 5. Title 8, chapter 4, article 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 8-809.01, to read:

START_STATUTE8-809.01. Parent, guardian or custodian; rights

A. on initial contact with a child safety worker, a parent, guardian or custodian under investigation for an allegation of abuse or neglect has the following rights:

1. to be informed of the specific complaint or allegation against that person and that any responses to the complaint or allegation may be used in a subsequent court proceeding.

2. to refuse to cooperate with the INVESTIGATION or receive CHILD safety services offered pursuant to the investigation. A CHILD may not be temporarily removed based solely on a parent's, guardian's or custodian's refusal to cooperate with the INVESTIGATION.

3. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, to deny the worker entry into the parent's, guardian's or custodian's home.

4. to respond to ALLEGATIONS either verbally or in writing and to have this information considered in determining if the child requires child safety services.

5. To report a violation of the rights specified in this section without fear of punishment, interference, coercion or RETALIATION.

6. to appeal determinations made by the department.

7. to seek the advice of an attorney and to have an attorney present when questioned by a worker.

8. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, to refuse to do any of the following:

(a) sign a release of information document.

(b) consent to take a drug or alcohol test.

9. to receive information about the investigation and the department's decision-making process.

10. to be informed both verbally and in writing of these rights and any parental rights under state law and to provide written acknowledgement of receipt of these rights.

b. If a child safety worker has reasonable cause to believe that circumstances exist that present an imminent danger to the child, the worker shall take all lawful measures to protect the child pursuant to sections 8-821 and 8-822 before providing the notice of rights pursuant to subsection a of this section.

c. unless parental rights have been terminated, exigent circumstances exist or as otherwise ordered by the court, a parent, guardian or custodian whose child is placed in the department's custody has the following rights:

1. To not have the child taken into department custody without the department providing the reasons for removal and information supporting the removal.

2. to be immediately notified verbally or in writing that the child was taken into custody.

3. to receive information on the services available to the child, parent, guardian or custodian and the dependency process and timelines.

4. to have an attorney present or an attorney appointed by the court at all court proceedings.

5. to be timely notified of the date, time and location of all hearings and to participate in all hearings.

6. Whenever possible, to participate in the development of a case plan.

7. to receive services if the child has been removed from the home, including services that facilitate reunification of the family.

8. to maintain contact with the child unless it is determined by the department or court to be harmful to the child's safety or well-being.

9. to be consulted about the child's medical care, education and grooming.

10. to request that the child be returned if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the return of the child would not create a substantial risk of harm to the child's physical, mental or emotional health or safety.

D. The department shall provide information REGARDING a parent's, guardian's or custodian's rights pursuant to this section and assistance in UNDERSTANDING and enforcing these rights to each parent, guardian and custodian on initial contact with a child safety worker or when there is a change in the child's case plan. The information shall include the telephone number and email address of the department, the department's office of the ombudsman and the Ombudsman-Citizen aide.

e. If a parent, guardian or custodian believes that the person's rights under this section have been violated, the parent, guardian or custodian or the person's representative may:

1. file a complaint with the department, the department's office of the ombudsman or the Ombudsman-Citizens aide pursuant to section 41-1376. A formal GRIEVANCE may be initiated with the ombudsman at any time.

2. NOTIFY THE JUVENILE COURT IN THE CHILD'S ONGOING DEPENDENCY, SEVERANCE OR ADOPTION PROCEEDING, EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, THAT THE PARENT'S, GUARDIAN'S OR CUSTODIAN'S RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED AND REQUEST APPROPRIATE EQUITABLE RELIEF. THE COURT SHALL ACT ON THE NOTIFICATION AS NECESSARY WITHIN ITS DISCRETION TO PROMOTE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD.

F. THE RIGHTS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION DO NOT establish AN INDEPENDENT CAUSE OF ACTION. END_STATUTE