Assigned to Rules                                                                                                                                          AS ENACTED

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FINAL REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2276

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                FOR COMMITTEE

adult adoption.

 

Purpose

 

Transfers statutes relating to adult adoption from the Juvenile Division of the Superior Court to the Superior Court.

 

Background

 

            According to Arizona law, an adult may adopt another adult who is a stepchild, niece, nephew, cousin or grandchild.  Arizona’s adult adoption statute also allows for foster parents to adopt former foster children.  Approximately 15 adult adoptions take place per year in Maricopa County, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

 

Since adult adoptions currently take place under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Division of the Superior Court, the records are sealed and fees must be paid in order to gain access to the records.  Accessing sealed adoption records may become an issue when adoption records are needed to distribute an inheritance.  Transferring adult adoption statutes from juvenile proceedings to probates and guardianships should alleviate some of the burdens.

 

H.B. 2276 is identical to the original version of S.B. 1004.

 

            There is no fiscal impact to the state general fund associated with this bill.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Moves adult adoption statutes from the statutory section relating to juvenile proceedings to the statutory section relating to probates and guardianships.

 

2.      Makes technical and conforming changes.

 

3.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

Senate Action   (S.B. 1004)                                          House Action (H.B. 2276)

 

FS                                1/10/01   DP    6-0-0-0                        JUD                 1/16/01            DP    10-0-0-0

3rd Read                       1/22/01            28-0-2-0          3rd Read           1/24/01                     59-0-1-0

3rd Read (HB 2276)     2/28/01            30-0-0-0                     

 

Signed by Governor 3/6/01

Chapter 6

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

May 7, 2001