§580-41.5  Battered spouses; exemption from
mediation in divorce proceedings.  (a)  In contested divorce proceedings
where there are allegations of spousal abuse, the court shall not require a
party alleging the spousal abuse to participate in any component of any
mediation program against the wishes of that party.



(b)  A mediator who receives a referral or
order from a court to conduct mediation shall screen for the occurrence of
family violence between the parties.  A mediator shall not engage in mediation
when it appears to the mediator or when either party asserts that family
violence has occurred unless:



(1)  Mediation is authorized by the victim of the
alleged family violence;



(2)  Mediation is provided in a specialized manner
that protects the safety of the victim by a mediator who is trained in family
violence; and



(3)  The victim is permitted to have in attendance at
mediation, a supporting person of the victim's choice including but not limited
to an attorney or advocate.  If the victim chooses to exercise such option, any
other party to the mediation will be permitted to have in attendance at
mediation, a supporting person of the party's choice including but not limited
to an attorney or advocate.



(c)  In a proceeding concerning the custody or
visitation of a child, if a protective order is in effect, the court shall not
require a party alleging family violence to participate in any component of any
mediation program against the wishes of that party.



(d)  In a proceeding concerning the custody or
visitation of  a child, if there is an allegation of family violence and a
protective order is not in effect, the court may order mediation or refer
either party to mediation only if:



(1)  Mediation is authorized by the victim of the
alleged family violence;



(2)  Mediation is provided in a specialized manner
that protects the safety of the victim by a mediator who is trained in family
violence; and



(3)  The victim is permitted to have in attendance at
mediation, a supporting person of the victim's choice including but not limited
to an attorney or advocate.  If the victim chooses to exercise such option, any
other party to the mediation will be permitted to have in attendance at
mediation, a supporting person of the party's choice including but not limited to
an attorney or advocate. [L 1993, c 88, §1; am L 1996, c 198, §4]



 



Law Journals and Reviews



 



  Empowering Battered Women:  Changes in Domestic Violence Laws
in Hawai‘i.  17 UH L. Rev. 575.