reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-514.06 - Out-of-home placement; documents; definition

8-514.06.
Out-of-home placement;  documents;  definition
A. If a child who is in the custody of the department and who is at least sixteen years of age is placed in out-of-home placement,  the out-of-home placement provider:
1. Within sixty days after placement,  shall obtain and provide the child access to the documents if the out-of-home placement provider is a child welfare agency.
2. May obtain and provide the child access to the documents if the out-of-home placement provider is a licensed foster home or a kinship foster home.
B. If an out-of-home placement provider requests a document pursuant to subsection A of this section and the department of child safety verifies the current placement,  the department of health services or the department of transportation,  as applicable,  shall provide the out-of-home placement provider with the requested document that the relevant department maintains.
C. The department of health services shall waive any fees charged by an agency to provide a document prescribed by subsection A of this section.
D. The department of child safety shall provide a foster parent or kinship foster parent with the social security number of a child in the foster parent's or kinship foster parent's care for a lawful purpose within ninety days after the foster parent's or kinship foster parent's request.
E. The department of child safety shall provide a child who is in its custody and who is at least fourteen years of age with the child's social security card within one hundred twenty days after receipt of a written request from the child.
F. The department shall request a birth certificate for a child who is in the custody of the department and who is placed in out-of-home placement within thirty days after the child's placement,  unless the child is returned to custody of the child's parent within that thirty-day period.
G. For the purposes of this section,  " documents"  means all of the following:
1. The child's birth certificate.
2. The child's nonoperating identification license.
3. The child's immunization records.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-514.08 - Educational decisions; parent contact information; inability to locate

8-514.08.
Educational decisions;  parent contact information;  inability to locate
A. If a child in the custody of the department is in out-of-home care and is receiving or in need of services pursuant to title 15,  chapter 7,  article 4,  the department shall promptly notify the child's public education agency of the name and contact information for the child's parent,  as defined in 34 Code of Federal Regulations section 300.30,  unless a court has ordered otherwise.
B. If a public education agency notifies the department that the child requires an initial evaluation for special education and related services and the parent identified pursuant to subsection A of this section cannot be located or does not attempt to participate,  the department shall promptly notify the public education agency of a parent,  as defined in 34 Code of Federal Regulations section 300.30,  who can consent to or refuse the initial evaluation in accordance with 20 United States Code section 1414.
C. When the biological or adoptive parent of the child attempts to act as the parent,  the biological or adoptive parent is presumed to be the parent for the purposes of this section.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-515 - Time limits on placement in receiving home; court orders

8-515.
Time limits on placement in receiving home;  court orders
A. In the absence of a juvenile court order,  a child shall not remain in a receiving foster home for a period of more than three weeks.
B. Juvenile court orders extending receiving foster home placement beyond three weeks shall be reviewed by the juvenile court at least once each week,  beginning one week from the date of the order. At the time of this review,  the juvenile court shall either reaffirm or withdraw the order.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-515.01 - Local foster care review boards; appointment; exclusions; terms; training; compensation; meetings

8-515.01.
Local foster care review boards;  appointment;  exclusions;  terms;  training;  compensation;  meetings
A. The presiding judge of the juvenile court in each county shall establish local foster care review boards for the review of cases of children who are in out-of-home placement and who are the subject of a dependency action to assist in the review required pursuant to section 8-862. The judge shall establish one board for each one hundred children,  or fraction of that number. The judge may decide not to create an additional review board if the number of children assigned to a review board exceeds one hundred by fewer than fifty children. The boards shall consist of at least five regular members. The judge may appoint one alternate member for each board if deemed necessary. The alternate member shall receive the same level of access to all necessary records,  reports and data as a regular board member and shall serve on the review board in the absence of one of the regular members. Each board,  to the maximum extent feasible,  shall represent the various socioeconomic,  racial and ethnic groups of the county in which it serves. A list of the members of each local board shall be sent to the supreme court.
B. The presiding judge shall not appoint a person employed by the division or the juvenile court to a local board.
C. On the appointment of a new local board,  regular board members shall divide themselves by lot into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible. Members of the first class shall serve for a term of one year,  members of the second class shall serve for a term of two years and members of the third class shall serve for a term of three years. All subsequent local board members,  including alternate members,  shall serve for a term of three years,  except if a member has been appointed to fill a vacancy occasioned other than by the expiration of a full term of office. The term of each member shall expire on the third Monday in January of the appropriate year. Members shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed. In the event a vacancy occurs on the local board,  the judge shall appoint another person to serve the unexpired portion of the term.
D. A person shall not remain on a local board unless the person participates in the training established pursuant to section 8-515.04.
E. Each local board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman and other officers as it deems necessary.
F. Local board members shall be compensated pursuant to title 38,  chapter 4,  article 2.
G. Each local board shall meet,  at a place designated by the juvenile court,  as often as it deems necessary to carry out the duties of the local board. A local board shall not meet less than twice annually.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-515.02 - Case assignment; distribution of records

8-515.02.
Case assignment;  distribution of records
A. The juvenile court in each county shall assign cases of children in out-of-home placement to a local board so that local boards are assigned an approximately equal number of children. In a case where a child resides in a county other than the resident county of the child's parents,  the county of the child's original jurisdiction shall maintain jurisdiction unless,  for valid reasons,  the judge of such county transfers jurisdiction. A list of the cases so assigned shall be sent to the local board and the supreme court.
B. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section,  the juvenile court in each county in its discretion may assign appropriate cases of children in out-of-home placement to a local foster care review board for early review of the case plan within sixty days after the removal of the child from the child's home.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-515.04 - State foster care review board; members; personnel; training programs; compensation

8-515.04.
State foster care review board;  members;  personnel;  training programs;  compensation
A. The state foster care review board is established within the supreme court consisting of three persons who have knowledge of the problems of foster care and who are appointed by the supreme court and of the members of the local foster care review boards who are appointed by the presiding judge of the juvenile court. In counties having only one foster care review board,  the judge shall appoint one member. In counties having more than one foster care review board,  the presiding judge of the juvenile court shall appoint to the state board only one member for every ten boards except that not more than six members may be appointed from any county. Members of the state board who are local board members shall serve terms that are coterminous with their terms as members of local review boards. Members who are appointed by the supreme court shall serve terms that are not less than two years,  nor more than five years.
B. The state board shall select a chairman and a vice-chairman and any other officers it deems necessary.
C. The state board shall meet no less than twice annually and more frequently on the call of the chairman or as the board determines. The supreme court may adopt reasonable rules relating to the functions and procedures of the local boards and the state board in accordance with the duties of the boards as provided in this article. The state board shall review and coordinate the activities of the local boards.
D. The supreme court shall employ a coordinator and other personnel it deems necessary to carry out the duties of the state board and the local boards. Compensation for all personnel shall be determined pursuant to section 38-611.
E. The state board shall establish training programs for local board members,  which shall include periodic in-service training.
F. State board members shall be compensated as determined pursuant to title 38,  chapter 4,  article 2.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-516 - Supervision of foster homes; reports; review of file; progress report

8-516.
Supervision of foster homes;  reports;  review of file;  progress report
A. A licensed child welfare agency shall maintain supervision of all children placed by it in foster homes and such foster homes.
B. The agency's representative shall contact the foster homes and written reports of the representative's findings shall be maintained by such agency,  subject to the review of the division.
C. Receiving foster homes shall be visited at least once per month.
D. Regular and special foster homes shall be visited at least once every three months.
E. A complete review of the placement and progress concerning a child in a foster home shall be made by the division or the agency,  if the juvenile court has awarded custody of the child to the agency,  at least every six months. The division or agency shall prepare a progress report resulting from the review,  and a copy of such report shall be sent to the juvenile court and the foster care review board. The progress report shall include:
1. An assessment of the extent to which the division or agency is accomplishing the purpose of foster care for the child as described in the case plan.
2. An assessment of the appropriateness of the case plan.
3. The length of time the child has been in foster care.
4. The number of foster home placements the child has experienced while in foster care and the length of each placement.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-517 - Withdrawal from foster home

8-517.
Withdrawal from foster home
The division or agency that placed the child may withdraw a child from a foster home only when the division or agency determines that withdrawal is according to written,  specific standards and is clearly necessary for the child's interests and welfare. The division may change the placement of a child made pursuant to section 8-514.02 if the change is necessary for the child's best interests and welfare.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-519 - Records and reports

8-519.
Records and reports
A. Each child welfare agency shall keep records regarding the children in its care as the division prescribes and shall furnish to the division,  on request,  such additional information as the division requires.
B. The department shall provide information necessary for foster care review boards to perform their statutory duties through direct remote online access to all DCS information as defined in section 8-801 identified by the foster care review board as necessary for the performance of the board's duties. If the information contained in the record is not available in an automated case management system used by the department,  the department shall furnish any hard copy record pertaining to a case assigned to a foster care review board that is necessary for the performance of the board's duties and that is kept by the division or a child welfare agency to the board.
C. All records and information in the possession of the foster care review board regarding children and their parents or relatives shall be deemed confidential and shall be disclosed only pursuant to this chapter or by order of court.
D. A child welfare agency shall furnish a report of each placement or withdrawal of each child to the division.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-520 - Violations; classification

8-520.
Violations;  classification
Any agency,  society,  association,  institution or person,  whether incorporated or unincorporated,  and any individual acting for or in its name,  which engages in caring for children or children and adults or of placing children for care pursuant to this article,  without having first procured a license as a child welfare agency as provided in this article,  or which knowingly fails or refuses to report as required by the provisions of this article,  or which knowingly obstructs or hinders the division,  the department of economic security or the agents of either agency in the inspection or investigation of the agency,  societies,  associations,  institutions or persons under the respective agency's control or charge,  or any person knowingly violating any of the other provisions of this article is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor unless another classification is specifically prescribed in this article.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-521 - Independent living program; conditions; eligibility; rules; progress reports; educational case management unit

8-521.
Independent living program;  conditions;  eligibility;  rules;  progress reports;  educational case management unit
A. The department or a licensed child welfare agency may establish an independent living program for youths who are the subject of a dependency petition or who are adjudicated dependent and are all of the following:
1. In the custody of the department,  a licensed child welfare agency or a tribal child welfare agency.
2. At least seventeen years of age.
3. Employed or full-time students.
B. The independent living program may consist of a residential program of less than twenty-four hours a day supervision for youths under the supervision of the department through a licensed child welfare agency or a foster home under contract with the department. Under the independent living program,  the youth is not required to reside at a licensed child welfare agency or foster home.
C. The director or the director's designee shall review and approve any recommendation to the court that a youth in the custody of the department be ordered to an independent living program.
D. For a youth to participate in an independent living program,  the court must order such a disposition pursuant to section 8-845.
E. The department of child safety,  a licensed child welfare agency or a tribal child welfare agency having custody of the youth shall provide the cost of care as required by section 8-453,  subsection A,  paragraph 9,  subdivision (b),  item (iii) for each youth placed in an independent living program pursuant to this section,  except that the monthly amount provided shall not be less than $1, 200.
F. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to title 41,  chapter 6 to carry out this section.
G. The department shall provide quarterly progress reports to the court and to local foster care review boards for each youth participating in the independent living program.
H. The local foster care review boards shall review at least once every six months the case of each youth participating in the independent living program.
I. The department shall establish an educational case management unit within the division consisting of two case managers to develop and coordinate educational case management plans for youths participating in the independent living program and to assist youths in the program to do the following:
1. Graduate from high school.
2. Pass the statewide assessment pursuant to section 15-741.
3. Apply for postsecondary financial assistance.
4. Apply for postsecondary education.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-521.01 - Transitional independent living program

8-521.01.
Transitional independent living program
A. The department may establish a transitional independent living program for persons who meet the following qualifications:
1. The person is under twenty-one years of age.
2. The person was the subject of a dependency petition,  adjudicated dependent or placed voluntarily pursuant to section 8-806.
B. The department shall provide care and services that complement the person s own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and to accept personal responsibility for preparing for and making the transition to adulthood. The care and services provided shall be based on an individualized written agreement between the department and the person.
C. Care and services may be provided as follows:
1. If the person was in out-of-home placement or in the independent living program when the person became eighteen years of age,  the department may provide out-of-home placement,  independent living or other transitional living support services.
2. If the person was in out-of-home placement in the custody of the department,  a licensed child welfare agency or a tribal child welfare agency while the person was sixteen,  seventeen or eighteen years of age,  the department may provide transitional living support services.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-521.02 - Extended foster care program; requirements

8-521.02.
Extended foster care program;  requirements
A. The department may establish an extended foster care program for qualified young adults. To participate in the program,  a qualified young adult must meet all of the following requirements:
1. Have been in the custody of the department as a dependent child when the young adult became eighteen years of age.
2. Be eighteen,  nineteen or twenty years of age and be one or more of the following:
(a) Completing secondary education or an educational program leading to an equivalent credential or be enrolled in an institution that provides postsecondary or vocational education.
(b) Employed at least eighty hours a month.
(c) Participating in a program or activity that promotes employment or removes barriers to employment.
(d) Unable to be a full-time student or to be employed because of a documented medical condition.
3. Sign a voluntary extended foster care agreement with the department on or after the qualified young adult's eighteenth birthday and before the young adult's twenty-first birthday.
B. The department shall provide a progress report every six months to the young adult administrative review panel for each qualified young adult who participates in the extended foster care program.
C. The young adult administrative review panel shall review,  at least once every six months,  the qualified young adult's voluntary extended foster care case plan,  including the services and supports provided and needed to assist the young adult in the young adult's successful transition to adulthood.
D. The department shall develop and coordinate educational case management plans for a qualified young adult participating in the extended foster care program to assist the qualified young adult to accomplish the following:
1. Graduate from high school.
2. Pass the statewide assessment to measure pupil achievement adopted pursuant to section 15-741.
3. Apply for postsecondary education financial assistance.
4. Apply for postsecondary education.
5. Complete postsecondary education classes.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-522 - Dependency actions; special advocate; appointment; duties; immunity

8-522.
Dependency actions;  special advocate;  appointment;  duties;  immunity
A. The presiding judge of the juvenile court in each county may appoint an adult as a special advocate for a child who is the subject of a dependency action. The court shall make this appointment at the earliest possible stage in the proceedings. A child,  through the child's special advocate,  guardian ad litem or attorney,  has the right to be informed of,  to be present at and to be heard in any proceeding involving dependency or termination of parental rights.
B. The supreme court shall certify special advocates pursuant to rules adopted by the court. Court rules for certification shall include compliance with qualification standards prescribed by the court.
C. The appointment of the special advocate continues until the court relieves the advocate of the advocate's responsibilities or until the court dismisses the action before it.
D. A special advocate serves without compensation but is entitled to reimbursement of expenses pursuant to guidelines prescribed by the supreme court by rule.
E. A special advocate shall:
1. Meet with the child.
2. Advocate for the child's safety as the first priority.
3. Gather and provide independent,  factual information to aid the court in making its decision regarding what is in the child's best interest and in determining if reasonable efforts have been made to prevent removal of the child from the child's home or to reunite the child with the child's family.
4. Provide advocacy to ensure that appropriate case planning and services are provided for the child.
5. Perform other duties prescribed by the supreme court by rule.
F. A special advocate shall have access to all documents and information regarding the child and the child's family without obtaining prior approval of the child,  the child's family or the court. All records and information the special advocate acquires,  reviews or produces may only be disclosed as provided for in section 41-1959.
G. The special advocate shall receive notice of all hearings,  staffings,  investigations and other matters concerning the child. The special advocate shall have a right to participate in the formulation of any agreement,  stipulation or case plan entered into regarding the child.
H. A special advocate is immune from civil or criminal liability for the advocate's acts or omissions in connection with the authorized responsibilities the special advocate performs in good faith.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-523 - Special advocate program

8-523.
Special advocate program
A. The court appointed special advocate program is established in the administrative office of the supreme court. The program shall establish local special advocate programs in each county. The supreme court shall adopt rules prescribing the establishment of local programs and the minimum performance standards of these programs.
B. The supreme court shall employ administrative and other personnel it determines are necessary to properly administer the program and to monitor local program performance.
C. Special advocate program personnel are not civilly or criminally liable for good faith actions they take in connection with their responsibilities.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-524 - Special advocate fund

8-524.
Special advocate fund
A. The court appointed special advocate fund is established consisting of monies received pursuant to section 5-568. The fund is subject to annual legislative appropriation. Monies appropriated by the legislature from the court appointed special advocate fund for the court appointed special advocate program shall be used by the supreme court to operate,  improve,  maintain and enhance the program.
B. A court may request fund monies by submitting a program plan and funding request to the supreme court pursuant to rules adopted by the court.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-527 - Children in out-of-home care; noninterference with regular school activities

8-527.
Children in out-of-home care;  noninterference with regular school activities
The agency,  division and Arizona health care cost containment system administration in accordance with section 36-3435,  subsection B shall make every reasonable effort to not remove a child who is placed in out-of-home care from school during regular school hours for appointments,  visitations or activities not related to school.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-530.01 - Placement of a child returning to foster care; notification

8-530.01.
Placement of a child returning to foster care;  notification
A. If a child who has been in foster care is returned to the child's home then removed again from the child's home,  the department shall notify all foster homes in which the child previously resided that the child has been removed from the child's home,  unless the previous foster home has substantiated or outstanding allegations,  reports or investigations known by the department.
B. The department shall place the child in a foster home in which the child has resided,  unless the placement is not in the best interests of the child or none of the prior foster homes wants the placement. If the child has previously resided in more than one foster home,  the department shall give preference for placement based on which placement is most recent.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-530.02 - Child welfare; joint annual report

8-530.02.
Child welfare;  joint annual report
On or before February 1 each year,  the Arizona early childhood development and health board and the department shall jointly report to the joint legislative budget committee on their collaborative efforts to address child welfare issues of common concern during the prior year. The report shall include information about the level of coordination among the department,  the Arizona early childhood development and health board and community groups to promote the well-being of children and families that are identified in reports of abuse or neglect.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-530.03 - Child placement; time limits

8-530.03.
Child placement;  time limits
A. All parties,  counsel and the court shall adhere to the procedural time limits established pursuant to this chapter.
B. Procedural time limits established pursuant to this chapter may not be waived,  extended or continued unless it is necessary for the full,  fair and proper presentation of evidence. A continuance of a procedural time limit may not be granted if the delay is not in the best interest of the child.
C. A continuance beyond thirty days shall be granted only on a finding of extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary circumstances include acts or omissions that are unforeseen or unavoidable.
D. A party requesting a continuance of more than thirty days shall file a motion for an extension of time setting forth the reasons why extraordinary circumstances exist. The motion shall be filed within five days of the discovery of the extraordinary circumstance. The court's finding of extraordinary circumstances shall be in writing and shall set forth the factual basis for the continuance.
E. The court may not extend the procedural time limit prescribed by section 8-537 for a total period of more than sixty days unless the court makes a written finding that substantial evidence exists that the additional time is in the best interest of the child.
F. On motion of a party or the court,  if it is determined that an extension of procedural time limits was due to a party's disclosure violation or lack of due diligence,  the court may impose sanctions on that party.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-530.04 - Educational placement; best interest of child; transportation

8-530.04.
Educational placement;  best interest of child;  transportation
A. Within five days after a child enters foster care or if a child's placement changes,  the child,  if appropriate,  the child's caseworker,  the child's parent,  guardian,  custodian,  caregiver or foster parent and representatives from the local education agency or the child's school of origin shall determine if it is in the child's best interest to remain in the child's school of origin. The decision shall be based on all factors relating to the child's best interest,  including consideration of the child's unique educational needs,  appropriateness of the current educational setting and the proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement. The department shall ensure transportation for the child during the best interest educational placement determination process. If it is determined that the school of origin is not in the best interest of the child,  the new educational institution shall be included in the determination process.
B. Within two days after it is determined that a change of educational placement is in the best interest of the child,  the new educational institution shall enroll the child and the child's school of origin shall transfer the child's education records to the child's new educational institution within two days after notice of the child's change in educational placement. A child shall be immediately enrolled in the new educational institution even if the child does not possess the records normally required for enrollment in the child's new educational institution or owes any outstanding fines or fees to the school of origin.
C. The department and educational agency shall jointly ensure that a child receives transportation to the educational institution determined to be in the child's best interest,  including a charter school or educational institution located outside of the child's current school district. In ensuring a child receives transportation to the educational institution determined to be in the child's best interest,  the department may coordinate with the department of education and local education agencies and enter into necessary information sharing,  data sharing and financial agreements. A school district may cross school district boundaries when transporting a student pursuant to this section. The department or educational agency may provide financial assistance to the child's caregiver or other approved adult for transportation if the department and the child's new educational institution are unable to transport the child.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-530.05 - Transportation; dispute resolution

8-530.05.
Transportation;  dispute resolution
A. The department of child safety and the department of education shall adopt a clear,  written arbitration process for prompt resolution of disputes between the department of child safety,  local educational agencies and the department of education regarding the arrangement for and funding of a child's transportation to a school determined to be in the best interest of the child pursuant to section 8-530.04.
B. The arbitration process shall include provisions to ensure transportation to the school of origin or current educational placement if a prior best interest determination has been made until the dispute is resolved.
C. A decision resolving a dispute pursuant to this section shall be made within ten business days after receipt of the dispute.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-532 - Jurisdiction; dependency based termination

8-532.
Jurisdiction;  dependency based termination
A. The juvenile court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over petitions to terminate the parent-child relationship when the child involved is present in this state.
B. The juvenile court shall continue to have exclusive original jurisdiction when the juvenile is in the legal custody of the juvenile court although the physical placement of the child is in another state pursuant to court order.
C. This article does not apply to termination proceedings conducted pursuant to article 11 of this chapter except to the extent prescribed in section 8-863.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-534 - Contents of petition

8-534.
Contents of petition
A. The petition for the termination of the parent-child relationship filed pursuant to this article shall include,  to the best information or belief of the petitioner:
1. The name and place of residence of the petitioner.
2. The name,  sex,  date and place of birth and residence of the child.
3. The basis for the court's jurisdiction.
4. The relationship of the petitioner to the child or the fact that no relationship exists.
5. The names,  addresses and dates of birth of the parents,  if known.
6. The names and addresses of the person having legal custody or guardianship of the person or acting in loco parentis to the child or the organization or authorized agency having legal custody or providing care for the child.
7. The grounds on which termination of the parent-child relationship is sought.
8. The names and addresses of the persons or authorized agency or officer thereof to whom or to which legal custody or guardianship of the person of the child might be transferred.
B. Whenever possible the court on terminating the parental rights of a birth parent in a termination of parental rights proceeding shall obtain from the birth parent a notarized statement that does both of the following:
1. Acknowledges that when the person who is the subject of the termination of parental rights proceeding reaches eighteen years of age,  the person may obtain a copy of the person's original birth certificate as provided in section 36-340.
2. Grants or withholds consent for the person who is the subject of the termination of parental rights proceeding to review adoption records,  if the person is subsequently adopted,  when the person reaches eighteen years of age.
C. A copy of any relinquishment or consent and the notarized consent pursuant to section 8-106,  subsection F,  if any,  previously executed by the parent shall be attached to the petition.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-536 - Social study before disposition; contents

8-536.
Social study before disposition;  contents
A. On the filing of a petition,  the court shall order that the department,  an agency or another person selected by the court conduct or cause to be conducted a complete social study and that a report in writing of such study be submitted to the court before a hearing. The court may order any additional social study it deems necessary. The social study shall include the circumstances of the petition,  the social history,  the present condition of the child and parent,  proposed plans for the child and other facts pertinent to the parent-child relationship. The report submitted shall include a specific recommendation and the reasons as to whether or not the parent-child relationship should be terminated.
B. If the proposed plans for the child do not include placing the child with a grandparent or another member of the child's extended family including a person who has a significant relationship with the child,  the report shall include sufficient information for the court to determine whether such placement is in the child's best interests.
C. The court may waive the requirement of the social study if the court finds that to do so is in the best interest of the child.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-537 - Termination adjudication hearing

8-537.
Termination adjudication hearing
A. If a petition for terminating the parent-child relationship is contested,  the court shall hold a termination adjudication hearing within ninety days after the initial severance hearing. The general public shall be excluded and only such persons admitted whose presence the judge finds to have a direct interest in the case or the work of the court,  provided that such person so admitted shall not disclose any information secured at the hearing. The court may require the presence of any parties and witnesses it deems necessary to the disposition of the petition,  except that a parent who has executed a waiver pursuant to section 8-535 or who has relinquished the parent's rights to the child shall not be required to appear at the hearing.
B. The court's findings with respect to grounds for termination shall be based on clear and convincing evidence under the rules applicable and adhering to the trial of civil causes. The court may consider any and all reports required by this article or ordered by the court pursuant to this article and such reports are admissible in evidence without objection.
C. If a parent does not appear at the pretrial conference,  status conference or termination adjudication hearing,  the court,  after determining that the parent has been instructed as provided in section 8-535,  may find that the parent has waived the parent's legal rights and is deemed to have admitted the allegations of the petition by the failure to appear. The court may terminate the parent-child relationship as to a parent who does not appear based on the record and evidence presented as provided in rules prescribed by the supreme court.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-538 - Court order; form; contents

8-538.
Court order;  form;  contents
A. Every order of the court terminating the parent-child relationship or transferring legal custody or guardianship of the person of the child or providing for protective supervision of the child shall be in writing and shall recite the findings on which the order is based,  including findings pertaining to placement of the child and the court's jurisdiction. The order is conclusive and binding on all persons from the date of entry.
B. If the court finds grounds for the termination of the parent-child relationship it shall terminate the relationship and take one of the following courses of action:
1. Appoint an individual as guardian of the child.
2. Appoint an individual as the child's guardian and vest legal custody in another individual or in an authorized agency.
C. If the court finds that placement with a grandparent or another member of the child's extended family including a person who has a significant relationship with the child is not in the child's best interests,  the court shall make specific written findings in support of its decision.
D. The court shall also make an order fixing responsibility for the child's support. The parent-child relationship may be terminated with respect to one parent without affecting the relationship between the child and the other parent.
E. If the court does not order termination of the parent-child relationship,  it shall dismiss the petition,  provided that if the court finds that the best interests of the child require substitution or supplementation of parental care and supervision,  the court shall make such orders as it deems necessary.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-539 - Effect of court order

8-539.
Effect of court order
An order terminating the parent-child relationship shall divest the parent and the child of all legal rights,  privileges,  duties and obligations with respect to each other except the right of the child to inherit and support from the parent. This right of inheritance and support shall only be terminated by a final order of adoption.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-540 - Court costs

8-540.
Court costs
A. There shall be no fees assessed for the filing of a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship.
B. All court costs,  including the cost of giving notice and advertising shall be paid by the petitioners if the court so orders. The court may suspend such costs where payment would work a hardship upon the petitioner,  or would be otherwise inappropriate.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-541 - Records; disclosure; exception

8-541.
Records;  disclosure;  exception
A. All files,  records,  reports and other papers compiled in accord with this article,  whether filed in or in possession of the court,  a child placement agency or other agency or association,  are subject to disclosure pursuant to sections 8-807 and 8-807.01.
B. This section does not prohibit persons employed by the court,  the division or a licensed child welfare agency from conducting the investigations or performing other duties pursuant to this article and done within the normal course of their employment.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-542 - Confidentiality of information; violation; classification

8-542.
Confidentiality of information;  violation;  classification
A. It is unlawful,  except for purposes for which files and records or social records or parts of or information from files and records or social records have been released pursuant to section 8-541,  or except for purposes permitted by order of the court,  for any person to knowingly disclose,  receive or make use of,  or authorize,  knowingly permit,  participate in or acquiesce in the use of,  any information involved in any proceeding under this article directly or indirectly derived from the files,  records,  reports or other papers compiled pursuant to this article or acquired in the course of the performance of official duties.
B. A person who knowingly discloses information in violation of this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.
C. This section does not prohibit persons employed by the court,  the division or a licensed child welfare agency from conducting the investigations or performing other duties pursuant to this article and done within the normal course of their employment.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-543 - Sibling information exchange program; definition

8-543.
Sibling information exchange program;  definition
A. The administrative office of the courts shall establish a sibling information exchange program to facilitate contact between a former dependent child and the child's sibling or siblings.
B. The following persons may participate in the program:
1. An adult who is a former dependent child.
2. A juvenile who is a former dependent child,  through any of the following:
(a) The juvenile's adoptive parent.
(b) The juvenile's guardian.
(c) The juvenile's biological parent if that person has legal custody of the child and is not a party to a pending dependency proceeding.
3. The adult sibling of a former dependent child.
C. A person participating in the program shall use a confidential intermediary who is certified pursuant to section 8-134. The confidential intermediary may access court,  division and agency records. The confidential intermediary must keep confidential all information the intermediary obtains during the course of the investigation and may use this information only to arrange a contact or to share information between the person who initiates the search and the person who is the subject of the search. The confidential intermediary shall not contact any person who is under eighteen years of age.
D. If a former dependent child does not wish to be contacted by the child's sibling or siblings the former dependent child may file an affidavit so stating with the court. If an affidavit is part of the court record,  the confidential intermediary shall not make contact with the former dependent child unless the former dependent child withdraws the affidavit and grants permission in writing or the former dependent child has filed an affidavit stating that the former dependent child knows about the sibling or siblings and wishes to make contact with the sibling or siblings.
E. The supreme court shall adopt rules necessary to implement the sibling information exchange program.
F. For the purposes of this section,  " sibling"  includes a person who shares a common biological parent,  stepparent or adoptive parent.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-548.02 - Interstate compact administrator

8-548.02.
Interstate compact administrator
Pursuant to the compact the governor shall designate the director of the department as the compact administrator. The compact administrator,  acting jointly with like officers of other party states,  shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out more effectively the terms of the compact. The compact administrator shall cooperate with all departments,  agencies and officers of and in the government of this state and its subdivisions in facilitating the proper administration of the compact or of any supplementary agreement or agreements entered into by this state thereunder.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-548.03 - Supplementary agreements

8-548.03.
Supplementary agreements
The compact administrator shall have authority to enter into supplementary agreements with appropriate officials of other states pursuant to the compact. In the event that such supplementary agreement requires or contemplates the use of any institution or facility of this state or requires or contemplates the provision of any service by this state,  the supplementary agreement shall have no force or effect until approved by the head of the department or agency under whose jurisdiction the institution or facility is operated or whose department or agency will be charged with the rendering of the service.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 8 - Child Safety › § 8-548.05 - Visitation, inspection and supervision

8-548.05.
Visitation,  inspection and supervision
Any requirements for visitation,  inspection or supervision of children,  homes,  institutions or other agencies in another party state which may apply under sections 8-501,  8-503 through 8-520 and 8-813 shall be deemed to be met if performed pursuant to an agreement entered into by appropriate officers or agencies of this state as contemplated by paragraph (b) of article V of the interstate compact on the placement of children.