One of the provisions of Arizona House Bill 2378 is to allow expedited adoption for teens above age 16.
Once a teenager in the foster system turns 18, they cannot be adopted as a child and the family adopting them is no longer eligible for subsidies. Out of almost 14,000 youths in the Arizona foster system, almost 6 percent are over 18.
“We still have concern about children in foster care and we’re trying to do everything we can to make sure that the issues that are there, are dealt with,” said Rep. Nancy Barto, who is the bill’s sponsor.
She says it has been a work in progress for a long time.
The bill will also look into certain special education needs for foster children and processes to address those.
This bill passed both chambers and now awaits the governor’s signature.
