HB 2256
Initials JH/SR Page 1 Caucus & COW
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
House: GOV DPA 4-3-0-0
HB 2256: parental alienation; testimony; prohibition
Sponsor: Representative Keshel, LD 17
Caucus & COW
Overview
Prohibits a court from making a decision in specified family court proceedings based solely
on an allegation of parental alienation.
History
Legal decision-making is the legal right and responsibility to make all nonemergency legal
decisions for a child. Parenting time refers to the amount of time during which each parent
has access to a child. The court is required to make a decision in either of these proceedings
based on all factors considered relevant to the child's physical and emotional well-being. Any
modification to these agreements are subject to the review of certain factors including
domestic violence, status as a military parent and the consideration of time (A.R.S. §§ 25-
401, 25-403, 25-411).
Provisions
1. Prohibits a court from taking testimony or ruling on a legal decision-making or parenting
time petition based solely on an allegation of parental alienation. (Sec. 1)
2. Defines parental alienation. (Sec. 1)
Amendments
Committee on Government
1. Changes the definition of parental alienation to include alienating behavior, resist-refuse
dynamics, parent child contact problems, rejected parent, aligned parent, enmeshed
parent, preferred parent and alienated parent.
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note