AZ HB2968

Courts in family law cases involving children cannot exclude relevant evidence based solely on format, hearsay classification, or procedural technicalities when the evidence relates to a child's safety, well-being, trauma, wishes, or parental behavior.

A parent's complete criminal history—including arrests, charges, convictions, sentencing, probation records, and all investigation records—must be admitted as evidence in custody, parenting time, dependency, and termination cases and is presumptively relevant to child safety.

Courts must make written findings on the record regarding the relevance and credibility of admitted evidence; failure to do so constitutes reversible error.

If evidence related to child safety is delayed or discovered late for good cause (such as third-party delays, emergencies, or technical issues), courts must continue hearings to allow its admission.

Any court ruling that allows unequal submission of evidence between parents is deemed prejudicial as a matter of law, entitling the affected parent to immediate appellate review or special action relief.