Connecticut Senate Bill SB00363

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/17
• Refer: 1/19/17

Caption

An Act Requiring Family Court Judges To Receive Training On Parental Alienation.

Impact

Implementing this bill could significantly influence how family court judges approach cases involving allegations of parental alienation. By ensuring judges receive proper training, the legislation aims to improve consistency and fairness in court decisions regarding child custody and visitation rights. This could lead to better outcomes for children caught in disputes where one parent may be attempting to undermine the relationship between the child and the other parent. Proponents argue that such training is crucial in fostering a more informed judiciary that can handle sensitive familial issues.

Summary

SB00363, introduced by Senator Witkos, aims to enhance the competency of family court judges in handling cases involving parental alienation. The bill mandates that the Chief Court Administrator facilitates training specifically focused on understanding and addressing parental alienation for all judges assigned to family court matters. The intention behind this legislation is to equip judges with the necessary insights and skills to recognize and appropriately address the complexities that arise from parental alienation in custody disputes.

Conclusion

Overall, SB00363 represents a proactive approach to improving the legal standards surrounding family court proceedings by focusing on a critical issue, parental alienation. If enacted, it will require a commitment to ongoing education and support for judges in family law, with the ultimate goal of protecting children's best interests in custody arrangements.

Contention

While the bill is designed with the intention of enhancing judicial training, there may be points of contention regarding the nature of the training and its implementation. Critics may argue that the effectiveness of training on such a nuanced subject can vary significantly, and there are concerns that some judges may still lack the capability to discern the subtle dynamics of parental alienation in practice. Additionally, discussions about the balance of resources allocated towards training versus other judicial needs may arise.