East Arizona News

The Arizona House of Representatives has passed HB2079, a bill introduced by Representative Walt Blackman. The legislation aims to streamline the guardianship process and prioritize the best interests of minors. It seeks to strengthen guardianship procedures, eliminate bureaucratic delays, and ensure stable homes for children.

Current laws often present legal obstacles for minors in complex or unstable family situations when securing a guardian. HB2079 addresses these issues by ensuring guardianship decisions are based on the child's best interest rather than legal loopholes. It provides 16- and 17-year-olds without parental support a clearer path to guardianship and allows courts to extend temporary guardianships when necessary. Additionally, it emphasizes due diligence in locating a child's living parent while prioritizing stability over administrative processes.

"This bill is about one thing and one thing only: putting kids first. We won’t let politics or outdated legal hurdles prevent children from getting the care and stability they need," said Representative Walt Blackman. "We are ensuring that guardianship decisions are made swiftly, fairly, and in the best interest of the child—not based on bureaucracy or red tape."

HB2079 also gives minors aged 16 and older who are not part of an open dependency case more say in their future. By acknowledging their unique circumstances, the bill allows courts to grant guardianship when no willing or able parent is present, preventing unnecessary hardships for vulnerable youth.

"For too long, kids in Arizona have fallen through the cracks because of slow-moving legal procedures and unnecessary court delays," Representative Blackman added. "We need to be proactive in protecting and supporting them, not making them wait for a system that doesn’t always work in their favor."

The bill has garnered strong bipartisan support from child advocacy groups, family law experts, and community leaders who emphasize prioritizing children's well-being over politics. HB2079 will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration. Lawmakers, advocates, and families across Arizona hope this legislation will be enacted into law to provide children with the stability and support they deserve.

Representative Walt Blackman is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 7 and is Chairman of the House Government Committee.

Information from this article can be found here.