Bill > SB1656

This bill amends Arizona law regarding professional assistance in family court cases, specifically concerning legal decision-making and parenting time. It introduces new requirements for when a court seeks the advice of professional personnel, such as psychologists or social workers, who are not regular court employees. Before appointing such professionals, the court must now hold an evidentiary hearing where it will identify the professional, define the scope of their duties in writing, and assess each parent's ability to pay associated fees. Parents will also have the opportunity to conduct discovery and depose the proposed professional before the hearing. After an appointment, the court must provide written details about any parental objections, the professional's specific duties including hours and costs, required documents, expected report filing dates, the reasons for the appointment, how to object to or seek clarification of the report, how fees are apportioned, and the court's history with that professional. The bill also mandates that appointed professionals record all interactions with parents and children, and allows parents to record their own interactions with these professionals. Furthermore, appointed professionals must be licensed and in good standing, and any complaints about their conduct should be directed to their licensing agency, with the court explicitly stating it is not responsible for understanding these ethical requirements. Importantly, appointed professionals cannot claim qualified immunity and can be sued by parents for deviations from their professional ethics and licensing standards within four years of the cause of action.

Justice

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/85295