family court; professional personnel; requirements

SB 1656 updates Arizona family court procedures for appointing professional personnel (like social workers or therapists) in child custody cases. It requires courts to hold evidentiary hearings before appointment, provide parents with detailed written notices about the professional’s scope, costs, and reporting timeline, and mandate audio/video recordings of all interactions. The bill ensures appointed professionals must be licensed and in good standing, with complaints directed to their licensing agency rather than the court. Parents gain the right to object to appointments, request clarifications on reports, and pursue civil claims for ethical violations within four years. This directly affects families in custody disputes, courts managing such cases, and the professionals appointed to assess child welfare.