Bill > HB2194

This bill amends Arizona law regarding permanent guardianship proceedings for children, adding several new requirements and clarifications to the existing legal process. The bill expands the investigation requirements for permanent guardianship, mandating that investigators now specifically assess whether reunification with parents is not in the child's best interest, whether the child has a strong attachment to the prospective guardian, whether the child is subject to a pending dependency petition, whether the child is unlikely to be adopted, and whether terminating parental rights would not serve the child's best interests. The bill maintains that permanent guardianship divests parents of legal custody but does not terminate their parental rights or inheritance rights. It requires prospective guardians to provide fingerprint clearance and allows the court to incorporate visitation provisions and support obligations in the final guardianship order. The bill also stipulates that upon establishing permanent guardianship, the dependency action will be dismissed, but the court retains jurisdiction to enforce its order and may schedule follow-up review hearings to ensure the child's ongoing welfare. Importantly, the bill preserves protections for children subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act and maintains the burden of proof standards for such cases.

Health and Social Services

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/81902