2018 California Code
Family Code - FAM
DIVISION 8 - CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
PART 2 - RIGHT TO CUSTODY OF MINOR CHILD
CHAPTER 11 - Mediation of Custody and Visitation Issues
ARTICLE 2 - Availability of Mediation
Section 3170.
(a) (1) If it appears on the face of a petition, application, or other pleading to obtain or modify a temporary or permanent custody or visitation order that custody, visitation, or both are contested, the court shall set the contested issues for mediation.
(2) Prior to filing the petition, application, or other pleading to obtain or modify a temporary or permanent custody or visitation order, a party to an existing case may request that the court set a custody or visitation issue for mediation, and the court may set that issue for mediation.
(b) Domestic violence cases shall be handled by Family Court Services in accordance with a separate written protocol approved by the Judicial Council. The Judicial Council shall adopt guidelines for services, other than services provided under this chapter, that courts or counties may offer to parents who have been unable to resolve their disputes. These services may include, but are not limited to, parent education programs, booklets, video recordings, or referrals to additional community resources.
(c) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2020, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 330, Sec. 1. (AB 1692) Effective January 1, 2018. Repealed as of January 1, 2020, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 2 of Stats. 2017, Ch. 330.)
