Arizona's child-protection agency will have a new investigations office focusing on abuse and neglect cases that allegedly involve criminal conduct.

The House Judiciary Committee took the first steps Thursday in creating a new unit of investigators dedicated to high-priority child abuse and neglect cases, a cornerstone measure recommended by the Child Safety Task Force.

The agency overseeing the state's scrutinized child-welfare system says a special investigative team has reduced an extensive backlog of cases at the agency.

Child Protective Services (CPS) is one of the most sacred trusts and duties of adult generations to the most vulnerable members of the next generation of children. The Governor’s Task Force on Child Safety has made their recommendations and to almost no one’s surprise, more funding and resources are needed. Now, the governor and the Legislature must fulfill their profound responsibility for our collective obligation to our most vulnerable children.

Arizona legislators on Thursday will review aspects of the state's child protection program at a time when the program is also under scrutiny from Gov. Jan Brewer's administration.