By Daniel Stefanski |

A bill to better look after the interests of Arizona’s children passed one chamber of the Arizona Legislature.

On Monday, the Arizona House of Representatives approved HB 2079 “to streamline the guardian process and prioritize minors’ best interests [by] strengthen[ing] guardianship procedures, remov[ing] bureaucratic delays, and prioritiz[ing] stable homes for children.”

HB 2079 received an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 56-3 (with one member not voting) to ensure its passage over to the state Senate.

In a statement that accompanied the announcement of the bill’s progress, State Representative Walt Blackman, the legislation’s sponsor, said, “This bill is about one thing and one thing only: putting kids first. We won’t let politics or outdated legal hurdles prevent children from getting the care and stability they need. WE are ensuring that guardianship decisions are made swiftly, fairly, and in the best interest of the child – not based on bureaucracy or red tape.”

According to the press release that was issued by the Arizona House Republicans, the bill would do the following:

• “Ensur[e] guardianship decisions are made based on the child’s best interest, not legal loopholes.
• “Allow 16- and 17-year-olds without parental support to have a clearer pathway to guardianship.
• “Protect minors from unnecessary delays by permitting courts to extend temporary guardianships when needed.
• “Ensur[e] due diligence in locating a child’s living parent while prioritizing stability over red tape.”

Blackman added, “For too long, kids in Arizona have fallen through the cracks because of slow-moving legal procedures and unnecessary court delays. We need to be proactive in protecting and supporting them, not making them wait for a system that doesn’t always work in their favor.”

If signed into law, the bill would “also ensure that minors 16 and older, who are not part of an open dependency case, have a greater say in their future. By recognizing their unique circumstances, the bill allows courts to grant guardianship when no willing or able parent is present, preventing unnecessary hardships for vulnerable youth.”

On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, a representative from Homeless Youth Connection signed in to support the proposal.

Last month, the bill was approved by the House Government Committee with a unanimous 7-0 vote.

HB 2079 will now be considered by the Arizona Senate in the next stop in its legislative journey.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.