HB 2254 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

domestic relations; temporary orders; hearings

HB 2254 modifies Arizona's domestic relations laws to improve temporary custody and parenting time orders. It requires courts to reevaluate such orders every six months and mandates a 60-day timeline for hearings on temporary orders, unless parties waive this or extraordinary circumstances exist. The bill also sets a minimum 120-minute hearing time for temporary order cases and requires courts to make specific written findings about factors affecting a child's best interests. This directly affects parents and children involved in custody disputes during divorce or separation proceedings.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Mar 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version · 4 edits · Mar 4, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Arizona statutes governing temporary orders in family law cases involving legal decision-making and parenting time. The changes clarify procedures for temporary orders, set specific timelines for court hearings, and require courts to make detailed factual findings when issuing temporary custody arrangements. These modifications aim to ensure timely resolution of family disputes and protect children's best interests during the pendency of cases.

Scope change

The bill applies to all legal decision-making and parenting time proceedings in Arizona, including those arising from dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or standalone custody cases.

TIMELINE

Added a requirement for courts to reevaluate temporary orders within six months of issuance, with an evidentiary hearing available upon request by either party.

REQUIREMENT

Established a minimum 120-minute hearing time requirement for evidentiary hearings on temporary order petitions involving legal decision-making and parenting time.

Required courts to make specific factual findings on the record when issuing temporary orders, addressing factors under section 25-403 and indicating which factors were considered relevant to the child's best interests.

Clarified that when extraordinary circumstances prevent scheduling a hearing within 60 days, the court must make a written finding on the record explaining the cause of the delay.

Floor votes · House Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

36–22

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 60

Mar 4, 2025

D Democratic27

4 Yea 22 Nay 1

81% Nay

R Republican33

32 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors