On April 15, the Arizona House rejected a bill that required divorced parents to notify each other and seek court approval for a move over 10 miles away.
The current law states that custodial parents must notify noncustodial parents of an out of state move or a move that is over 100 miles away, as well as possibly receive court approval for such a move. The new bill, Senate Bill 1083, called for similar rules and restrictions for moves over 10 miles, including a 45-day notice to the noncustodial parent.
Opponents to the new bill argued that it placed undue restrictions on the custodial parent's ability to pursue work or a new home, as well as opening the door for harassment by the noncustodial parent by blocking the move. Supporters of the bill claimed that it prevented custodial parents from abusing the noncustodial parent's ability to visit his or her children through a series of moves.
The bill has been in the hands of Sen. Nancy Barto (R-Phoenix) for four years, as she worked to devise changes that would protect the welfare of children of divorced parents. Barto and the bill's supporters argue that moves are often a method of one parent exacting control over another, which ultimately impacts the child in question.
The billed failed 38-22 on April 15th, and was slated for a second vote on the 17th. The Arizona family law attorneys at Curry, Pearson, & Wooten, PLC are interested to see where the Senate and House will stand as this bill is revisited.