child and family representation; appropriation

HB 2604 establishes Arizona's Child and Family Representation Program within the Administrative Office of the Courts to improve legal representation for children and parents in dependency cases (like foster care or child welfare proceedings). The program will assess training needs, recommend minimum standards for court-appointed attorneys, audit counsel practices, handle ethical complaints, and develop metrics to measure representation quality. It appropriates $200,000 and one full-time staff position from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to implement these functions. The bill directly affects children and parents in dependency cases, their court-appointed attorneys, and the courts overseeing these proceedings.