Arizona HB 2442 Becomes Law

“Here is a look at HB 2442 , which Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law Thursday following months of work by three mothers from Gilbert and other foster parents:

The Committee on Children and Family Affairs introduced HB 2442 to the Arizona House of Representatives in January.

It garnered 22 sponsors after primary sponsor Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, had it drafted.

Gov. Doug Ducey signed the bill the morning of March 23, after it was sent to him on March 21. It swept through committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and on the floor of both houses, without receiving a single nay vote.

• The bill allows parents of foster children to receive behavioral health benefits through a provider not registered with the Regional Behavioral Health Authority if the authority fails to see the child within 21 days.

• Rep. Farnsworth said his purpose for the bill was to streamline the process so foster families obtain the services they need in a timely manner.

• Despite facing no opposition in the Legislature, the bill was amended. Those amendments prohibit the state Department of Child Safety from punishing foster parents when they don’t want to accept a foster child with extensive mental health issues and remove the restriction that prevented a foster child from being discharged from the hospital during the RHBA response wait period.”

A look at HB 2442 and the rights it gives to foster parents [East Valley Tribune 3/27/16]

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