This bill proposes to amend current statutes by adding a new section, 8-469.03, to the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifically addressing the practices of the Department of Child Safety in cases of dependency, adoption, termination of parental rights, or guardianship. The bill stipulates that an individual attorney representing the department cannot appear before a judge if they have represented the department in the previous five cases before that same judge. This aims to reduce potential bias and undue influence that may arise from familiarity between attorneys and judges.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the legislature's intent to prioritize the interests of biological families and to minimize the removal of minors from their homes, advocating for kinship promotion as a preferred alternative. It underscores the importance of rotating attorneys to ensure fairness and impartiality in court proceedings, thereby enhancing the integrity of the judicial process in child welfare cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-469.03