DCS; investigation; permanent guardianship

HB 2194 modifies Arizona's process for obtaining permanent guardianship for children in dependency cases. It requires detailed motions including child and parent information, specific tribal notification for Native American children under the Indian Child Welfare Act, and mandatory pre-hearing investigations assessing factors like parental reunification feasibility and child-guardian attachment. The bill mandates fingerprint checks for prospective guardians and clarifies that permanent guardianship does not terminate parental rights (unlike adoption) but allows courts to order visitation or parental support. This affects children in foster care, prospective guardians, birth parents, and tribal entities, streamlining court procedures while maintaining child welfare protections.