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.

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6. HB 2604

7. Initials NM/DC Page 0 Caucus & COW

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