Governor signs bills on CPS oversight

The Associated Press

PHOENIX—Arizona’s child protection system and the people who work in it will be subject to more public and legislative oversight because under new laws signed Tuesday.

Four bills signed by Gov. Janet Napolitano were promoted by supporters as increasing accountability and transparency of state functions to protect children from abuse and neglect.

The bills would increase public access to Child Protective Services information after the death or serious injury of a child.

Others provisions would open some CPS-related court proceedings and allow inspection of state employee disciplinary records.

Lawmakers proposed the legislation in the wake of deaths of three Tucson-area children who were killed, allegedly at the hands of parents, after the families came into contact with CPS.

Rep. Jonathan Paton, R-Tucson, who represents Green Valley in the House, was co-sponsor of the legislation with Reps. Kirk Adams, R-Mesa.