ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
Substitutes the term “parenting time” for “visitation” throughout marital relations statutes, referring to the time parents not residing together spend with their children.
States
are moving away from the concept of custody to reflect parental responsibility
when a parent spends time with a child. “Joint legal custody”, “primary
residence”, “alternative residence”, “parenting plans” and “shared parenting
time” are terms that reflect a more collaborative approach to parenting
children that acknowledge the contributions of both parents. Fifteen other
states have replaced “visitation” with parenting terms.
The
bill replaces the term “visitation” with “parenting time” when applicable to a
parent, and adds “or parenting time” to “visitation” when applicable to a
parent or other person responsible for a child through court order.
There
is no fiscal impact associated with the bill.
1. Replaces “visitation” with “parenting time” throughout marital relations statutes when referring to a parent.
2. Adds “or parenting time” to “visitation” in statutes applicable to a parent or another person spending time with a child through court order.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
House Action
HS 1/23/01 DP 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/5/01 55-1-4-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 19, 2001