Bill > HB2296

This bill modifies Arizona's laws regarding child custody and parenting time by removing previous presumptions favoring shared parenting and introducing new factors for courts to consider when determining parenting arrangements. The bill eliminates several existing factors used to determine parenting time, such as past relationships and child's adjustment to home and school, and replaces them with new considerations like prioritizing the child's bond with their primary caregiver and preserving the child's existing schedule for stability. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that courts should not presume shared parenting time is in the child's best interests, and instead must evaluate specific factors including any history of domestic violence, substance abuse, false child abuse reporting, or intentional court manipulation. The bill also modifies provisions related to parenting plans, legal decision-making, and modification of existing custody orders, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that parenting time determinations are made based on the specific circumstances of each case rather than a presumptive standard of equal time. The changes appear designed to provide courts with more flexibility in crafting custody arrangements that prioritize the child's safety and well-being over a standard presumption of shared parenting.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82060