Arizona Lawmakers Face Public Outcry: Critical Testimony on Family Court Reform Set to Begin

By Jonathan Eberle |

Growing concerns about Arizona’s family court system are prompting state lawmakers to reconvene for a crucial hearing on June 16. The Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Committee on Family Court Orders will focus on gathering public testimony from those affected by the system.

Committee Chairman Mark Finchem is encouraging parents and community members with experiences in family court—whether positive or negative—to come forward and share their stories. The session will take place at the Arizona State Senate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 2.

“While we cannot resolve current individual cases, we must learn from them,” Finchem stated. He emphasized that these shared experiences are vital in understanding the system’s shortcomings and paving the way for improvements.

The committee’s purpose is not to offer legal advice or become involved in ongoing litigation. Instead, it aims to gather testimonies that will inform future legislative proposals and highlight areas needing reform.

Finchem noted that the testimonies will be documented as public records, which may be available for future inquiries. He referred to the past hearings, stating, “We’ve heard horrific stories that emphasize the urgent need for change.”

“This is an opportunity for those voices to finally be heard and to drive real, lasting change,” he added.

The meeting will break for lunch at noon but is expected to continue at 2 p.m., pending the schedules of the Senate and House floor sessions.

This hearing is the third in a series of five focused sessions aimed at evaluating Arizona’s family court system. Lawmakers plan to propose reforms based on the testimonies collected during these meetings in the upcoming legislative cycle.