AZ HB2436

Requires the Department of Child Safety to audiotape or videotape all interviews conducted with children during investigations, unless recording equipment malfunctions or is unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances.

Permits any party to a child welfare forensic interview to audiotape or videotape the interview, and allows parents or legal guardians to record conversations with the department outside of judicial proceedings.

Defines "child welfare forensic interview" as a documented interview with any relevant party conducted by the department to elicit information regarding concerns of abuse, neglect, or violence.

Appropriates $3,500,000 in fiscal year 2025-2026 and $1,000,000 annually beginning in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Department of Child Safety for purchase and maintenance of audio and video recording equipment.

Specifies that persons charged with criminal offenses involving child abuse or neglect have no standing to object to the department's failure to record interviews, and that failure to record is not grounds for excluding otherwise admissible child statements in criminal or dependency proceedings.