The proposed bill, HB2323, amends existing Arizona child welfare laws by establishing stricter criteria for the Department of Child Safety (DCS) when taking temporary custody of a child. Under the new provisions, the superior court is prohibited from issuing custody orders based solely on the opinion of licensed physicians or healthcare providers who have not conducted a physical examination of the child. Additionally, the determination of exigent circumstances for taking custody without a court order cannot rely solely on such opinions. This change aims to ensure that decisions regarding child custody are based on comprehensive evaluations rather than solely on professional opinions.

Furthermore, the bill introduces requirements for specialty medical evaluations during investigations of suspected abuse or neglect. DCS must refer children for these evaluations under specific circumstances, ensuring that the selected healthcare providers are qualified and have not reported the suspected abuse. The bill also mandates that parents or guardians be informed about the referral process and allows them to object to the proposed specialist. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the protection of children's rights and ensure that custody decisions are made with thorough consideration of medical evaluations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-821, 8-824, 8-825, 8-828, 8-514.07, 8-817, 8-845, 8-823, 8-481, 8-841, 8-846
House Engrossed Version: 8-821, 8-824, 8-825, 8-828, 8-514.07, 8-817, 8-845, 8-823, 8-481, 8-841, 8-846