jury; termination of parental rights

SB 1199 gives parents the right to request a jury trial in court cases seeking to terminate parental rights in Arizona. Parents must file a written request before or at the initial hearing, and courts must notify them of this option. If multiple parents request a jury, one trial covers all involved, and trials must follow standard jury rules. The law also requires courts to collect data on jury trials versus bench trials (including outcomes and duration) by 2028 for a report to state leaders. The bill takes effect in June 2026.