This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding legal decision-making and parenting time. It amends existing sections and introduces new provisions, including a rebuttable presumption that equal parenting time is in the best interests of the child, provided both parents are deemed fit and live within a specified distance of the child's school. The bill also adds new factors for the court to consider when determining parenting time, such as the child's age, needs, and existing parental bonds, while removing outdated language related to parenting time.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of both parents' involvement in a child's life post-separation or divorce, aiming to reduce conflict and litigation. It establishes that if equal parenting time is not awarded, the court must provide specific findings justifying this decision. The act is titled the "Arizona Equal Shared Parenting Act" and seeks to promote the best interests of children by encouraging meaningful contact with both parents.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 25-403, 25-403.01, 25-403.02, 25-403.11, 25-404, 25-408, 25-403.03, 13-2907.02, 25-403.04, 25-403.05, 25-401, 25-403.10, 25-411