BILL NUMBER: SB 2124	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Figueroa

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2000

   An act to amend Section 3183 of the Family Code, relating to child
custody.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 2124, as introduced, Figueroa.  Child custody: mediation.
   Existing law provides that, if child custody or visitation are
contested in any petition, pleading, or application, the court shall
set the contested issues for mediation and, thereafter, the mediator
may submit a recommendation to the court as to the custody of or
visitation with the child.
   This bill would prohibit the mediator from submitting any
recommendation to the court as to custody or visitation if the
parties do not reach an agreement during the mediation proceedings.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  no.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 3183 of the Family Code is amended to read:
   3183.  (a)  The   Where the parties have not
reached agreement as a result of the mediation proceedings, the 
mediator  may, consistent with local court rules, 
 shall not  submit  a   any 
recommendation to the court as to the custody of or visitation with
the child.  
   (b) Where the parties have not reached agreement as a result of
the mediation proceedings, the   The  mediator may
recommend to the court that an investigation be conducted pursuant to
Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3110) or that other services be
offered to assist the parties to effect a resolution of the
controversy before a hearing on the issues.  
   (c)  
   (b)  In appropriate cases, the mediator may recommend that
restraining orders be issued, pending determination of the
controversy, to protect the well-being of the child involved in the
controversy.