SB 1127 Summary

• Changes terminology in Arizona family law from "child custody" to "legal decision-making and parenting time," effective December 31, 2012.

• Defines legal decision-making as the right to make major decisions about a child's education, health care, and religious training, which can be awarded as sole or joint to parents.

• Establishes that joint legal decision-making does not necessarily mean equal parenting time, and requires courts to maximize parenting time for both parents consistent with the child's best interests.

• Adds provisions protecting children from sex offenders and persons convicted of dangerous crimes, requiring immediate notification if such individuals may have access to a child.

• Creates new standards for third-party visitation and legal decision-making petitions, requiring clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption that awarding legal decision-making to a legal parent serves the child's best interests.