AZ HB2251

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 8-514 to expand the placement preference order for children in foster care to include out-of-state relatives and persons with significant relationships to the child.

Adds new priority placement category for persons with a significant relationship to the child (such as godparents), whether living in Arizona or another state or jurisdiction.

Requires the department to make all reasonable efforts to locate parents, relatives, and extended family members who are willing and able to care for the child, including those living outside Arizona.

Mandates the department document its efforts to locate and contact the child's relatives and extended family through registered mail, telephone calls, and electronic mail before finalizing placement with an unrelated person.

Expands the definition of "relative" to include godparents and clarifies that placement preferences apply regardless of whether relatives are living in-state or out-of-state.