Arizona HB2124: Requiring Courts to Make Findings on Alienation Claims
This page is general information about a pending bill, not legal advice. For how this would apply to a specific case, consult an attorney licensed in Arizona.
Bill: AZ HB2124 (2026) • Arizona • In committee (House Judiciary) • Last checked: June 2026
Arizona HB2124, captioned “parental alienation; hearings; findings; requirements,” would amend Title 25 of Arizona law, which governs legal decision-making and parenting time. It would require courts to address parental alienation claims directly and on the record, rather than leaving it to a judge’s discretion to set them aside. It is in committee.
Estrangement caused by genuine abuse is not parental alienation. Requiring findings on an alienation claim does not lower the bar for proving abuse, and a finding requirement should not be used to override evidence that a child is avoiding a parent for safety reasons.
What this bill is
HB2124 is a procedural reform. A common frustration for a parent who raises an alienation claim is that the claim can be raised and then simply not ruled on. This bill would force the court to make specific findings that resolve every alienation claim, and it would give a parent a fast appellate remedy if the court fails to do so.
Why it matters for parental alienation
The bill targets how alienation claims are handled, not just whether they exist. By requiring on-record findings, it makes it harder for a claim to be ignored, and by setting standards for expert testimony it tries to legitimize well-supported testimony while guarding against unsupported opinion. That cuts in both directions, which is part of why a measure like this draws attention from parents and from courts.
What the bill would do
The bill would require courts in decision-making and parenting-time proceedings to make specific, on-record findings that resolve all parental alienation claims raised. It would define parental alienation as intentional or reckless conduct by a favored parent that causes a child’s unjustified rejection of the other parent. It would set evidentiary standards for expert testimony on alienation, and it would create a special-action, meaning expedited appellate, remedy if a trial court’s findings are inadequate.
Where it stands
HB2124 was introduced on January 12, 2026, and is pending in the House Judiciary Committee. No floor vote has been scheduled.
Updates
January 2026
HB2124 was introduced and assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. What it means: the bill is at an early but active stage. Its distinctive feature, forcing courts to make findings and allowing a fast appeal if they do not, is the part most likely to draw both support and scrutiny over how it interacts with abuse cases.
Common questions
What does “on-record findings” mean? It means the judge would have to state, in the record, how the court resolved each parental alienation claim, rather than leaving it unaddressed.
Does HB2124 decide alienation cases in advance? No. It sets procedure and evidence standards. It does not tell a court how to rule on the facts of any case.
Is it law yet? No. As of June 2026 it is in committee with no floor vote scheduled.
Sources
- Arizona Legislature, HB2124 (57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session). https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/HB2124P.htm
- LegiScan, AZ HB2124 (2026). https://legiscan.com/AZ/bill/HB2124/2026
If you are struggling right now
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
- NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264
Author: Alex Buckles (PAC Founder) • Last reviewed: June 6, 2026
