PHOENIX (AP) - Gov. Doug Ducey has vetoed a bill that would have given county attorneys the option instead of a mandate to help with uncontested adoptions.
House Bill 2296 was pushed by Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery with the stated intent of freeing up resources for more pressing matters. But the bill in recent weeks has been caught up in the debate over gay marriage after Montgomery adopted a policy of not helping gay couples adopt.
Montgomery spokesman Jerry Cobb said the bill had nothing to do with gay marriage and pre-dated the recent controversy.
Ducey said he vetoed the bill Monday because it could reduce the number of adoptions.
Cobb says the law is one of the only Arizona statutes where county attorneys are required to provide services for private citizens.
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