BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 2853
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 17, 2006

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                   Judy Chu, Chair

                    AB 2853 (Salinas) - As Amended:  May 3, 2006 

          Policy Committee:                              JudicaryVote:9-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:               

           SUMMARY  

          This bill codifies existing California Rules of Court regarding  
          domestic violence training requirements for conciliation  
          counselors, mediators, and child custody evaluators.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Negligible fiscal impact, as the bill is consistent with the  
          Judicial Council's current training requirements.

           COMMENTS  


           Purpose  . This bill, sponsored by California NOW, seeks to codify  
          Rules of Court regarding domestic violence training for family  
          court services staff. Under current Rules of Court, family court  
          services staff, which includes mediators, evaluators,  
          investigators and counselors, are required to receive one-time  
          basic and advanced domestic violence training and annual updated  
          training, as specified. This bill would codify those same  
          requirements in statute. 


          The author believes this is necessary to ensure custody  
          mediators and others are adequately trained in all issues  
          related to domestic violence, including the impact of  
          victimization and control in relationships where domestic  
          violence has occurred. 

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081