AZ HB2671

Adds "extended family member" definition to child welfare statutes, meaning a grandparent or adult with biological connection to the child by intact marriage or connection through marriage to a biological family member.

Expands kinship foster care services to include extended family members and persons with significant relationships to the child, not just relatives as previously defined.

Requires the Department of Child Safety to identify and notify extended family members and persons with significant relationships during due diligence searches within thirty days of temporary custody and to file documentation with the court every thirty days for a minimum of six months.

Mandates that courts order placement of children with grandparents, relatives, or extended family members within forty-eight hours of initial dependency hearing if such placement is available and in the child's best interest.

Expands children's rights in foster and kinship care to include placement with extended family members and ensures extended family members have the same rights and access to information as traditional foster parents.