AZ HB2144

Amends adoption procedures to allow courts to grant adoption petitions even if a parent has filed an appeal to termination of parental rights, if the child has been in out-of-home placement for at least 15 cumulative months and living with the prospective adoptive parent for at least 6 cumulative months.

Permits child welfare agencies to place children in excess of licensed foster home capacity limits for sibling groups, children previously in the home, or kinship placements, with license amendment applications required within 5-10 days.

Lowers the age threshold from under 3 years to under 5 years for expedited termination of parental rights procedures when children have been in out-of-home placement for 6 cumulative months, with court discretion to apply to older siblings.

Repeals section 8-809 and revises the primary purpose of child protective services to emphasize equal priority on investigating abuse/neglect, assessing child safety, coordinating with law enforcement on criminal allegations, and achieving permanency without compromising safety.

Requires the Department of Economic Security to develop a triage system plan by December 31, 2013 for alternative response mechanisms to child abuse and neglect reports through collaborative partnerships with community agencies and social services.