This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding child support, specifically addressing the support obligations for preborn children. Under the new provisions, a court order for child support can be retroactively applied to the date of a positive pregnancy test confirmed by a licensed health care professional or the date of filing for dissolution of marriage or child support, whichever occurs first. Additionally, the bill mandates that the amount of child support for a preborn child is limited to the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses of the mother, explicitly excluding any expenses related to abortion. The definition of "preborn child" is also introduced, clarifying that it refers to the offspring from conception until birth.

Furthermore, the bill amends the guidelines that the Arizona Supreme Court must consider when determining child support amounts, adding the direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses of the mother for preborn children. It allows mothers in marital proceedings to choose when to undergo genetic testing, either during pregnancy or after childbirth. The bill also makes technical and conforming changes to existing statutes, ensuring that the language aligns with the new provisions. Overall, these updates aim to clarify and expand the legal framework surrounding child support for preborn children while maintaining the existing structure for post-birth child support.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 25-320
House Engrossed Version: 25-320