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Rules of Court

Additional Information

 

CALIFORNIA 
RULES OF COURT

Standard 5.20. Uniform standards of practice for providers of supervised visitation

(a) Scope of service

This  standard defines the standards of practice, including duties and  obligations, for providers of supervised visitation under Family Code  sections 3200 and 3200.5. Unless specified otherwise, the standards of  practice are designed to apply to all providers of supervised  visitation, whether the provider is a friend, relative, paid independent  contractor, employee, intern, or volunteer operating independently or  through a supervised visitation center or agency. The goal of these  standards of practice is to assure the safety and welfare of the child,  adults, and providers of supervised visitation. Once safety is assured,  the best interest of the child is the paramount consideration at all  stages and particularly in deciding the manner in which supervision is  provided. Each court is encouraged to adopt local court rules necessary  to implement these standards of practice.

(Sub)

(a) amended effective January 1, 2015; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)


(b) Definition

Family  Code section 3200 defines the term "provider" as including any  individual or supervised visitation center that monitors visitation.  Supervised visitation is contact between a noncustodial party and one or  more children in the presence of a neutral third person.

(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2015; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)

(c) Type of provider

Who  provides the supervision and the manner in which supervision is  provided depends on different factors, including local resources, the  financial situation of the parties, and the degree of risk in each case.  While the court makes the final decision as to the manner in which  supervision is provided and any terms or conditions, the court may  consider recommendations by the attorney for the child, the parties and  their attorneys, Family Court Services staff, evaluators, and  therapists. As specified in Family Code section 3200.5, in any case in  which the court has determined that there is domestic violence or child  abuse or neglect, as defined in section 11165.6 of the Penal Code, and  the court determines supervision is necessary, the court must consider  whether to use a professional or nonprofessional provider based on the  child's best interest.

(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2015; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)


(d) Qualifications of nonprofessional providers

(1)A  "nonprofessional provider" is any person who is not paid for providing  supervised visitation services. Unless otherwise ordered by the court or  stipulated by the parties, the nonprofessional provider must:

(A)Have no record of a conviction for child molestation, child abuse, or other crimes against a person;

(B)Have proof of automobile insurance if transporting the child;

(C)Have no current or past court order in which the provider is the person being supervised; and

(D)Agree to adhere to and enforce the court order regarding supervised visitation.

(2)Unless otherwise ordered by the court or stipulated by the parties, the nonprofessional provider should:

(A)Be 21 years of age or older;

(B)Have no record of conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) within the last 5 years;

(C)Not have been on probation or parole for the last 10 years;

(D)Have no civil, criminal, or juvenile restraining orders within the last 10 years; and

(E)Not be financially dependent on the person being supervised.

(Subd (d) relettered and amended effective January 1, 2015; adopted as part of subd (c).)


(e) Qualifications of professional providers

A  "professional provider" is any person paid for providing supervised  visitation services, or an independent contractor, employee, intern, or  volunteer operating independently or through a supervised visitation  center or agency. The professional provider must:

(1)Be 21 years of age or older;

(2)Have no record of conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) within the last 5 years;

(3)Not have been on probation or parole for the last 10 years;

(4)Have no record of a conviction for child molestation, child abuse, or other crimes against a person;

(5)Have proof of automobile insurance if transporting the child;

(6)Have no civil, criminal, or juvenile restraining orders within the last 10 years;

(7)Have no current or past court order in which the provider is the person being supervised;

(8)Be  able to speak the language of the party being supervised and of the  child, or the provider must provide a neutral interpreter over the age  of 18 who is able to do so;

(9)Agree to adhere to and enforce the court order regarding supervised visitation;

(10)Meet the training requirements stated in (f); and

(11)Sign  a declaration or Declaration of Supervised Visitation Provider (form  FL-324) stating that all requirements to be a professional provider have  been met.

(Subd (e) relettered and amended effective January 1, 2015; adopted as part of subd (c).)


(f) Training for providers


(1)Each  court is encouraged to make available to all providers informational  materials about the role of a provider, the terms and conditions of  supervised visitation, and the legal responsibilities and obligations of  a provider under this standard.

(2)In addition, professional providers must receive 24 hours of training that includes the following subjects:

(A)The role of a professional provider;

(B)Child abuse reporting laws;

(C)Record-keeping procedures;

(D)Screening, monitoring, and termination of visitation;

(E)Developmental needs of children;

(F)Legal responsibilities and obligations of a provider;

(G)Cultural sensitivity;

(H)Conflicts of interest;

(I)Confidentiality;

(J)Issues relating to substance abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence; and

(K)Basic knowledge of family and juvenile law.

(Subd (f) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd (d) effective January 1, 2007.)


(g) Safety and security procedures

All  providers must make every reasonable effort to assure the safety and  welfare of the child and adults during the visitation. Professional  providers should establish a written protocol, with the assistance of  the local law enforcement agency, that describes the emergency  assistance and responses that can be expected from the local law  enforcement agency. In addition, the professional provider should:

(1)Establish  and state in writing minimum security procedures and inform the parties  of these procedures before the commencement of supervised visitation;

(2)Conduct  comprehensive intake and screening to understand the nature and degree  of risk for each case. The procedures for intake should include separate  interviews with the parties before the first visit. During the  interview, the provider should obtain identifying information and  explain the reasons for temporary suspension or termination of a visit  under this standard. If the child is of sufficient age and capacity, the  provider should include the child in part of the intake or orientation  process. Any discussion should be presented to the child in a manner  appropriate to the child's developmental stage;

(3)Obtain during the intake process:

(A)Copies of any protective order;

(B)Current court orders;

(C)Any Judicial Council form relating to supervised visitation orders;

(D)A report of any written records of allegations of domestic violence or abuse; and

(E)An account of the child's health needs if the child has a chronic health condition; and

(4)Establish written procedures that must be followed in the event a child is abducted during supervised visitation.

(Subd  (g) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (d) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and relettered as subd  (e) effective January 1, 2007.)

(h) Ratio of children to provider


The ratio of children to a professional provider must be contingent on:

(1)The degree of risk factors present in each case;

(2)The nature of supervision required in each case;

(3)The number and ages of the children to be supervised during a visit;

(4)The number of people, as provided in the court order, visiting the child during the visit;

(5)The duration and location of the visit; and

(6)The experience of the provider.

(Subd  (h) amended and re-lettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (e) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and re-lettered as subd  (f) effective January 1, 2007.)


(i) Conflict of interest

All  providers should maintain neutrality by refusing to discuss the merits  of the case or agree with or support one party over another. Any  discussion between a provider and the parties should be for the purposes  of arranging visitation and providing for the safety of the children.  In order to avoid a conflict of interest, the professional provider  should not:

(1)Be financially dependent on the person being supervised;

(2)Be an employee of the person being supervised;

(3)Be  an employee of or affiliated with any superior court in the county in  which the supervision is ordered unless specified in the employment  contract; or

(4)Be in an intimate relationship with the person being supervised.

(Subd  (i) amended and re-lettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (f) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and re-lettered as subd  (g) effective January 1, 2007.)

(j) Maintenance and disclosure of records for professional providers


(1)Professional providers must keep a record for each case, including the following:

(A)A written record of each contact and visit;

(B)Who attended the visit;

(C)Any failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the visitation; and

(D)Any incidence of abuse as required by law.

(2)Case  recordings should be limited to facts, observations, and direct  statements made by the parties, not personal conclusions, suggestions,  or opinions of the provider. All contacts by the provider in person, in  writing, or by telephone with either party, the children, the court,  attorneys, mental health professionals, and referring agencies should be  documented in the case file. All entries should be dated and signed by  the person recording the entry.

(3)If  ordered by the court or requested by either party or the attorney for  either party or the attorney for the child, a report about the  supervised visit must be produced. These reports should include facts,  observations, and direct statements and not opinions or recommendations  regarding future visitation. The original report must be sent to the  court if so ordered, or to the requesting party or attorney, and copies  should be sent to all parties, their attorneys, and the attorney for the  child.

(4)Any  identifying information about the parties and the child, including  addresses, telephone numbers, places of employment, and schools, is  confidential, should not be disclosed, and should be deleted from  documents before releasing them to any court, attorney, attorney for the  child, party, mediator, evaluator, mental health professional, social  worker, or referring agency, except as required in reporting suspected  child abuse.

(Subd  (j) amended and re-lettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (g) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and re-lettered as subd  (h) effective January 1, 2007.)


(k) Confidentiality


Communications  between parties and providers of supervised visitation are not  protected by any privilege of confidentiality. Professional providers  should, whenever possible, maintain confidentiality regarding the case  except when:

(1)Ordered by the court;

(2)Subpoenaed to produce records or testify in court;

(3)Requested  to provide information about the case by a mediator or evaluator in  conjunction with a court-ordered mediation, investigation, or  evaluation;

(4)Required to provide information about the case by Child Protective Services; or

(5)Requested to provide information about the case by law enforcement.

(Subd  (k) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (h) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and relettered as subd  (i) effective January 1, 2007.)


(l) Delineation of terms and conditions


The  provider bears the sole responsibility for enforcement of all the terms  and conditions of any supervised visitation. Unless otherwise ordered  by the court, the provider should implement the following terms and  conditions:

(1)Monitor conditions to assure the safety and welfare of the child;

(2)Enforce the frequency and duration of the visits as ordered by the court;

(3)Avoid any attempt to take sides with either party;

(4)Ensure  that all contact between the child and the noncustodial party is within  the provider's hearing and sight at all times, and that discussions are  audible to the provider;

(5)Speak in a language spoken by the child and the noncustodial party;

(6)Allow no derogatory comments about the other parent, his or her family, caretaker, child, or child's siblings;

(7)Allow no discussion of the court case or possible future outcomes;

(8)Allow  neither the provider nor the child to be used to gather information  about the other party or caretaker or to transmit documents,  information, or personal possessions;

(9)Allow no spanking, hitting, or threatening the child;

(10)Allow no visits to occur while the visiting party appears to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs;

(11)Allow no emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse;

(12)Allow no contact between the custodial and noncustodial parents unless ordered by the court; and

(13)Ensure that the parties follow any additional rules stated by the provider or the court.

(Subd  (l) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (i) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and relettered as subd  (j) effective January 1, 2007.)


(m) Safety considerations for sexual abuse cases


In cases where there are allegations of sexual abuse, in addition to the requirements of 

(l), the provider should comply with the following terms and conditions, unless otherwise ordered by the court:

(1)Allow no exchanges of gifts, money, or cards;

(2)Allow no photographing, audiotaping, or videotaping of the child;

(3)Allow  no physical contact with the child such as lap sitting, hair combing,  stroking, hand holding, hugging, wrestling, tickling, horseplaying,  changing diapers, or accompanying the child to the bathroom;

(4)Allow no whispering, passing notes, hand signals, or body signals; and

(5)Allow no supervised visitation in the location where the alleged sexual abuse occurred.

(Subd  (m) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (j) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and relettered as subd  (k) effective January 1, 2007.)

(n) Legal responsibilities and obligations of a provider

All nonprofessional providers of supervised visitation should, and all professional providers must:

(1)Advise the parties before commencement of supervised visitation that no confidential privilege exists;

(2)Report  suspected child abuse to the appropriate agency, as provided by law,  and inform the parties of the provider's obligation to make such  reports; and

(3)Suspend or terminate visitation under (p).

(Subd  (n) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (k) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and relettered as subd  (l) effective January 1, 2007.)


(o) Additional legal responsibilities of professional providers


In addition to the legal responsibilities and obligations required in (n), professional providers must:

(1)Prepare  a written contract to be signed by the parties before commencement of  the supervised visitation. The contract should inform each party of the  terms and conditions of supervised visitation; and

(2)Review custody and visitation orders relevant to the supervised visitation.

(Subd  (o) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (l) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and relettered as subd  (m) effective January 1, 2007.)


(p) Temporary suspension or termination of supervised visitation

(1)All providers must make every reasonable effort to provide a safe visit for the child and the noncustodial party.

(2)However,  if a provider determines that the rules of the visit have been  violated, the child has become acutely distressed, or the safety of the  child or the provider is at risk, the visit may be temporarily  interrupted, rescheduled at a later date, or terminated.

(3)All interruptions or terminations of visits must be recorded in the case file.

(4)All providers must advise both parties of the reasons for interruption of a visit or termination.

(Subd  (p) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (m) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and relettered as subd  (n) effective January 1, 2007.)


(q) Additional requirements for professional providers


Professional  providers must state the reasons for temporary suspension or  termination of supervised visitation in writing and provide the written  statement to both parties, their attorneys, the attorney for the child,  and the court.

(Subd  (q) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2015; adopted as subd  (n) effective January 1, 1998; previously amended and relettered as subd  (o) effective January 1, 2007.)

Standard  5.20 amended effective January 1, 2015; adopted as sec. 26.2 effective  January 1, 1998; previously amended and renumbered effective January 1,  2007.

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