This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning the Department of Child Safety. Key changes include the removal of the phrase "of child safety" from references to the department, streamlining the language throughout the statutes. The bill also introduces new provisions, such as allowing the department to apply to serve as a representative payee for children receiving federal benefits until another suitable candidate is appointed. Additionally, it mandates that the department consult with the child and their attorney regarding potential representative payees and requires the department to provide an annual accounting of the use of federal benefits to relevant parties.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the reporting requirements for the department by requiring an initial report detailing efforts to identify and notify adult relatives and significant persons in the child's life, along with updates at subsequent hearings. It also clarifies the conditions under which search efforts for relatives may cease and specifies the need for the department to document its compliance with notification timelines related to missing children. Lastly, the bill repeals a previous version of section 8-811, ensuring that the most current legal framework is maintained.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-468, 8-514.07, 8-810, 8-811, 14-9115, 8-862, 8-548