This bill proposes to amend Title 12, Chapter 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding a new Article 5, titled "Civil Court Supremacy and Due Process." The new article establishes definitions for terms such as "civil court," "neutral principles of law," "private tribunal," "voluntary arbitration," and "vulnerable person." It outlines the limitations on private tribunals, including prohibiting them from displacing civil court jurisdiction, restricting access to civil courts, or claiming exclusive authority. Additionally, any agreements that attempt to waive access to civil courts are deemed void, and civil courts retain the authority to review private adjudications for compliance with due process and statutory law.
The bill further emphasizes the inviolability of certain rights, such as due process and equal protection, and invalidates consent to private tribunal adjudication obtained through coercion or pressure. It mandates that private tribunal decisions cannot be enforced if they discriminate based on protected classes or undermine child protection laws. The legislation also ensures that civil courts apply neutral principles of law without interpreting religious doctrine and maintains that the doctrine of ecclesiastical abstention remains intact. Overall, the bill aims to reinforce the supremacy of civil courts and protect individuals' rights against coercive private adjudication systems.