ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
REVISED
child support; domestic
relations; committees
Replaces the Child Support
Enforcement and Domestic Relations Reform Committee and its two subcommittees
with two separate committees that conform to standard interim committee
structures and procedures. Adds four
members to the Domestic Relations Committee and requires development of a
statewide plan for an integrated family court.
Originally established in
1994 and modified in 1995, 1997 and 2000, the Child Support Enforcement and
Domestic Relations Reform Committee currently consists of the four cochairmen
of the two subcommittees: the Child Support Coordinating Council (CSCC) and the
Domestic Relations Reform Study Subcommittee (DRRSS).
This legislative proposal
separates the current structure into two separate committees, one for child
support and one for domestic relations, with simplified purposes, appointments
and reporting requirements. The bill adds four positions to the Domestic
Relations Committee for representatives of law enforcement, children’s advocacy
and a rural judge or commissioner. Additionally, the legislative membership of
the Child Support Committee is reduced from three to two members from different
parties. Finally, the Domestic
Relations Committee is required to develop a statewide plan for an integrated
family court.
There is no fiscal impact
for this bill.
Provisions
1. Eliminates the Child Support Enforcement and Domestic Relations Reform Committee, the CSCC and the DRRSS.
2. Establishes the Child Support Committee and the Domestic Relations Committee.
3. Adds four members to the Domestic Relations Committee who were not on the DRRSS, representing law enforcement, children’s advocacy, the family law section of the State Bar and a rural judge or commissioner.
4. Reduces the legislative members of the Child Support Committee to two members from each body from different parties instead of three members from each body, not more than two of whom are from the same party.
5. Requires the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Governor and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to appoint the members of the two committees, as specified. Currently, the DRRSS appointments are jointly recommended by the cochairs and jointly approved by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
6. Requires each committee to prepare an annual report on the work, findings and recommendations regarding the subject areas to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Governor and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by December 31 of each year. Currently CSCC and DRRSS reports are prepared quarterly and a combined report is prepared annually.
7. Repeals the two committees on January 1, 2008.
8. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Instructs the Domestic Relations Committee to prepare a statewide plan for an integrated family court with comprehensive subject matter jurisdiction over all matters involving the family. The report is to be prepared on or before October 1, 2002 and submitted for legislative review.
2. Adds a member to the Domestic Relations Committee from the State Bar of Arizona, to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Senate Action
FS 1/23/02 DP 6-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/4/02 26-0-4-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 5, 2002