Bill requiring domestic violence training for mediators passes senate

A bill to require domestic violence training for professional third-party mediators authored by state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa will advance to the house for consideration after it was voted out of the senate Wednesday, according to a news release.

"SB 539 requires mediators that handle child custody cases to complete four hours of domestic violence training," the release states.

Currently mediators that handle child custody cases have no domestic violence training requirement; and all that's needed to qualify as an impartial third party.

A person must complete 40 hours of training in dispute resolution techniques, on top of an additional 24 hours of training in fields related to family dynamics, child development and family law, according to the release.

"An alternative to custody litigation, mediation increasingly serves as a less expensive and more timely option. Most family law attorneys and advocates recently surveyed indicated mediation is a practice utilized with survivor parents in child custody cases. Mediators with a base level of domestic violence knowledge can help accomplish safety in the mediation process," the release states.

lzazueta@themonitor.com