HB2361 is a bill that amends existing Arizona law regarding the removal of children from their homes by the Department of Child Safety (DCS). The bill allows courts to order alternatives to temporary out-of-home care for children before a preliminary protective hearing takes place. It also repeals language that previously permitted child safety workers to take children into temporary custody without a court order in cases of exigent circumstances.

The bill expands the definition of "exigent circumstances" to include situations where a child is likely to suffer harm due to being a victim of trafficking or child sex trafficking. It also specifies the conditions that can be included in a temporary protective order, such as prohibiting access to the child by specific individuals or requiring the parent to cooperate with DCS. Additionally, the bill mandates that any alternative to temporary out-of-home care orders remain in effect until modified by the court or until a preliminary protective hearing is held, and the court may continue to enforce the order after the hearing.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-809.01, 8-821, 8-882, 8-828, 8-822, 41-1376, 8-514.07, 8-817, 8-456