Bill > HB2255

This bill amends Arizona law regarding court proceedings involving child custody, legal decision-making, and parenting time by introducing several key changes. The bill restricts court expert testimony to professionals with specialized expertise or substantial clinical experience in specific areas like child development, mental health, domestic violence, and substance abuse, and requires that such testimony be supported by professional standards and licensing board guidelines. It prohibits courts from ordering psychiatric evaluations of parents unless the parent has demonstrated behavior that poses a high risk of harm to the child. The bill eliminates previous requirements for mandatory training of court-appointed attorneys, advisors, and investigators in domestic violence and child abuse, and removes provisions about how investigation costs should be allocated between parties. Instead, the bill stipulates that expert fees in these proceedings shall be paid by the court and not charged to either parent. The changes aim to streamline and professionalize the process of determining child custody and parenting arrangements by ensuring expert testimony is more targeted, credible, and focused on the child's best interests.

Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82006