AZ SB1186

Expands rights for children in foster care and kinship foster care, including rights to placement with relatives, sibling contact, relocation to least restrictive schools, medical and mental health services, and legal representation in all proceedings.

Lowers the age threshold from 16 to 14 years old for foster youth to access preparation for adult living classes, transition planning, educational opportunities, and assistance obtaining identification documents.

Adds new section 8-809.01 establishing detailed parental rights during child safety investigations and custody proceedings, including rights to refuse cooperation, deny home entry (absent court order), have an attorney present, and appeal department determinations.

Requires the Department of Child Safety to provide written information about child, foster parent, and parental rights upon initial contact and case plan changes, including contact information for ombudsman and department offices.

Allows children, foster parents, and parents to file complaints with the department or ombudsman when rights are violated and to notify the juvenile court for equitable relief, while clarifying that rights provisions do not create independent causes of action.