This bill proposes to amend the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding a new section, 25-407.01, which outlines specific guidelines for expert testimony in parenting time proceedings involving allegations of domestic violence or abuse. Under the new provisions, the court may only accept testimony from expert witnesses who have demonstrated both expertise and clinical experience in working with victims of domestic violence or abuse, ensuring that their qualifications extend beyond forensic expertise. Additionally, the bill restricts the types of psychological testing and concepts that can be utilized by these experts to those that are empirically established and widely accepted as valid and reliable.

Furthermore, the bill explicitly prohibits the court from allowing evidence related to polygraph examinations, voice-stress analysis, or other psychological measures. It also clarifies definitions for terms such as "abuse" and "domestic violence" by referencing existing statutes, and provides a definition for "forensic" in the context of professional activities related to court orders or litigation. Overall, these updates aim to enhance the integrity and reliability of expert testimony in sensitive parenting time cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 25-407.01