HB1283

Hawaii HB1283 prohibits courts from requiring mediation in contested divorce and paternity proceedings if domestic abuse is alleged.

Hawaii HB1283 amends the Hawaii Revised Statutes to ensure that in contested divorce and paternity proceedings, courts cannot mandate mediation against the wishes of a party alleging domestic abuse. The bill also mandates that mediators screen for domestic abuse and prohibits mediation if domestic abuse is suspected, unless specific conditions are met. These conditions include the alleged victim authorizing mediation, the mediation being conducted by a trained mediator, and the alleged victim being allowed to bring a support person to the mediation.