A state Senate committee passed three bills Wednesday morning aimed at reforming the Arizona Department of Child Safety.

The bills are part of a search for solutions following the murders of three girls known to Arizona’s child welfare system in 2025.

One of the bills strengthens the rules to place children with relatives or other adults they know. HB2035 would make kinship care presumptive and require a written explanation if a different placement were made.

Another bill, HB4004, encourages DCS to investigate new reports of child abuse, even if caseworkers had designated a “protective parent” who would shield the child from harm.

The third bill, HB2611, aims to improve the conditions of group homes. This includes improved building security, allowing foster children to participate in enrichment activities and live free from bullying, and randomly drug testing group home workers.

Hayden L’Heureux, who lived in foster group homes, spoke about the conditions youth face.

“For many foster youth group homes are not experienced as places of healing but as places of punishment or setback,” L’Heureux said.

Angelina Trammell also lived in foster group homes and shared her experience.

“I’ve been through things no child should ever have to go through in the hardest part. A lot of it could’ve been prevented,” Trammell said.

All three bills have already passed the state House and will move forward for consideration by the full Senate.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cardinals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Happy Wednesday one and all.

The Arizona Cardinals have added a number of players and positions in free agency, so now, the question becomes what is the biggest need heading into the 2026 NFL Draft?

Now, if you choose quarterback, that does not mean it is a priority at the third overall pick, it is just acknowledging that they don’t have one to count on heading into the 2026 season.

So, it is a need, but maybe not one you can address in the 2026 NFL Draft.

For me, quarterback is the obvious need, but they also need an edge, in a class where maybe three of the five best players in the draft are edges.

This should be a slam dunk, right?

MESA, AZ — Swimming pools are a common way Arizona families beat the heat, and a leading safety concern for parents. Public health officials in Arizona say drowning is the leading cause of death for children 4 and under, and a local nonprofit is stepping in to help reduce the risk.

Child Crisis Arizona is offering free, lockable mesh-and-metal pool fences to qualifying homeowners. This group even sends a crew to install the barriers for recipients. The fences surround an entire pool and include locking mechanisms designed to keep unsupervised children out of the water.

“You need some kind of protection around the pool,” said Dustin George, owner of Octopus Pool Service and Repair. “I have children of my own. We put a fence around our pool to make sure they stay safe.”

Caitlyn Sageng, a spokesperson for Child Crisis Arizona, said the fences provide crucial seconds for caregivers. “That pool fence gives you that extra time to say — where did the two-year-old go? — and you’re able to get there before they get to the water,” she said.

To qualify, applicants must be homeowners (renters are not eligible) and have a child age 6 or younger living in the household. Child Crisis Arizona is accepting applications through April 5. Familes interested can apply through the nonprofit’s website.

Pool safety experts stress that barriers are one layer of protection and should be used alongside active supervision, swim lessons and other safeguards.