The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend several sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes related to legal decision-making and parenting time. It introduces new provisions allowing a parent to request a jury trial in cases where they have been awarded less than 35% parenting time or no joint legal decision-making authority. The bill mandates that such jury trials be scheduled within 120 days of the request, and if not, an arbitrator must be appointed. Additionally, the bill reorganizes the factors that courts must consider when determining legal decision-making and parenting time, prioritizing issues such as domestic violence and the likelihood of maintaining contact with the other parent.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the conditions under which a motion to modify a legal decision-making or parenting time decree can be filed before the one-year mark, allowing for changes based on new allegations regarding the child's well-being. It also stipulates that the court may award temporary legal decision-making or parenting time based solely on pleadings, and it requires specific findings from juries in contested cases. Other changes include the appointment of professional personnel for child interviews and the consideration of a parent's military deployment in custody decisions. Overall, the bill aims to streamline processes and enhance the focus on the child's best interests in legal decision-making matters.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 25-403, 25-404, 25-405, 25-407.01, 25-411, 25-403.03, 25-403.07, 13-2907.02
Senate Engrossed Version: 25-403, 25-404, 25-405, 25-407.01, 25-411, 25-403.03, 25-403.07, 13-2907.02