Today's installment is HB2663, sponsored by Republican Representative Trish Groe (R-3), which mandates that on the initial contact with the family or family member who is accused of abusing a child, the CPS agent must inform the family they are under no obligation to let the CPS agent into the home OR to interview the child. Now, the staff backgrounder states:

"The law requires CPS to investigate reports of suspected abuse or neglect of a child, and to provide temporary foster care for dependent children who have been abused or abandoned.  CPS workers may visit the home to discuss the report and talk with the family about its situation; suggestions may also be made about what services are available to assist the family."

So let me get this straight: the law requires CPS to investigate reports of abuse, but they can't enter the home or interview the child? That'll be a short investigation. So what do the sponsors believe will happen to the child when an abuser finds out that the child has told another adult or parent of abuse? Do they think the child will get a hug? How is CPS supposed to get any clear evidence of abuse if they're not permitted to interview the child? What happens if the abuser refuses to let the child out of the house or out of their sight? What if the abuser stops the child from seeing the other parent if visitation is permitted?  Who do Groe and the 11 other Republican co-sponsors think they're protecting here? Sounds like the abusers to me.

So, today's "Dumb Bill of the Day" award goes to Republicans Trish Groe, Barto, Biggs, Burges, Clark, Kavanagh, McLain, Murphy, Nelson, Nichols, Pearce, and Yarbrough for HB2663, which further handcuffs CPS from determining whether children are abused.

Way to go!

http://azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2263