AZ HB4003

Grants civil and criminal immunity to parents who make good-faith allegations of domestic violence or abuse in custody proceedings, even if the allegations are later unsubstantiated, recanted, or proven false, provided the parent reasonably believed them true and acted to protect a child or vulnerable party.

Requires courts to find by preponderance of evidence that an allegation was false, the parent had actual knowledge it was false, and the parent made it to interfere with custody or harass the other parent before imposing any liability.

Authorizes sanctions up to $5,000 and attorney fee awards against parents who knowingly make false allegations, with mandatory referral to the county attorney for perjury prosecution under Arizona Revised Statutes section 13-2702.

Mandates family court judicial officers complete biennial training on distinguishing false from unsubstantiated allegations, trauma and abuse patterns, coercive control, and gender bias.

Establishes affirmative defenses against sanctions for parents experiencing PTSD, coercive control, or stalking, or who based allegations on a child's disclosure, therapy information, or observed behavioral changes.