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Bill

HB 2256

parental alienation; testimony; prohibition

57th Legislature - First Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Fink and 2 co-sponsors

Arizona bill would have banned parental alienation testimony in family courts; passed legislature but Governor vetoed it May 12, 2025.

Vetoed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2256

Legislative bill overview

HB 2256 would have prohibited testimony about "parental alienation" in Arizona family court proceedings. The bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the Governor on May 12, 2025. It appears designed to exclude a controversial psychological concept from custody and divorce cases.

Why is this important

Parental alienation is a contested concept in family law—some argue it describes genuine harm to parent-child relationships, while critics contend it lacks scientific validity and has been misused to discredit abuse allegations. This bill would have significantly shaped what evidence family courts can consider when determining custody arrangements, directly affecting thousands of Arizona families navigating divorce and custody disputes.

Potential points of contention

  • Scientific validity debate: The psychological and psychiatric communities lack consensus on whether "parental alienation" is a recognized condition, making it difficult to legislate its admissibility
  • Abuse protection concerns: Critics worry excluding parental alienation testimony could protect abusive parents by preventing courts from considering alienating behaviors as evidence of parental unfitness
  • Legitimate parental concerns: Supporters argue courts need tools to address situations where one parent genuinely damages a child's relationship with the other parent through manipulation or false accusations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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