AZ SB1139

Courts are prohibited from ordering therapeutic interventions or paid services in custody/parenting time cases without consent from both parents, and either parent may revoke consent at any time.

Expert testimony on therapeutic intervention, child development, mental/physical health, domestic violence, or substance abuse is only admissible if the expert has specialized training in child development and substantial clinical experience with children in therapeutic settings.

Expert opinions must be supported by professional canons, adhere to licensing board guidelines, and cannot rely on theories not clinically established as standard of care.

Investigators, evaluators, and anyone submitting reports or recommendations to the court under sections 25-405 or 25-406 must meet the same expert qualification requirements.

"Therapeutic intervention" is defined as any therapy, treatment, or counseling program designed to improve parent-child or parent-parent relationships, including court-ordered behavioral intervention.