Parental Alienation and Reunification Laws, More Laws To Come
By David Glass
Our theme in Season 8 centers around important information about Parental Alienation and Domestic Violence. What many, whether they are victims or perpetrators, don’t realize is that there are now laws in place—many of them new—that govern these two very difficult issues. California has recently enacted several significant laws aimed at prioritizing child safety in custody disputes and expanding protections for domestic violence survivors. This current blog entry, I offer a list of some of those laws—what’s in them, and what they mean to you or those around you.
Below are some of them.
Parental Alienation and Reunification
California has taken a firm stance against certain unregulated "reunification" practices often associated with parental alienation claims.
- Piqui’s Law (SB 331 - Effective Jan 1, 2024): This law prohibits courts from ordering children into unregulated "reunification camps" or programs that involve cutting a child off from a bonded parent or using sudden custody transfers. It mandates that courts prioritize child safety as the primary factor in custody and visitation decisions, even over the policy of "frequent and continuing contact" with both parents.
- Safety Thresholds: SB 331 requires that any court-ordered counseling to address a child's resistance to a parent must be scientifically valid and focused on the parent’s own contribution to the relationship's deterioration.
Domestic Violence & Custody Changes
New regulations expand how courts identify abuse and protect victims during legal proceedings.
- Expanded Definition of Abuse: Recent updates (including AB 1147 and related 2024–2025 reforms) require courts to consider coercive control, financial abuse, and emotional manipulation—not just physical violence—when making custody determinations.
- Mandatory Judicial Training: SB 331 requires all judges, attorneys, and counselors involved in family law matters to undergo extensive, ongoing training on domestic violence, child sexual abuse, and trauma-informed practices.
- Stricter Penalties for Repeat Offenders (Effective 2026): Proposed and recently passed measures (like AB 292) aim to increase prison terms for individuals with repeat felony domestic violence convictions within a seven-year period.
Visitation and Restraining Order Updates
- Virtual Visitation (SB 599 - Effective Jan 1, 2024): Courts are now authorized to order virtual visitation (via video call) instead of in-person contact in cases involving domestic violence or where one parent lives in a confidential location.
- Restraining Order Enhancements:
- AB 2024 (2024): Directs courts to grant protective orders that meet minimum requirements, reducing denials based on technicalities.
- AB 2308 (2024): Extends the maximum duration for some domestic violence protective orders from 10 to 15 years.
- SB 554 (2024): Allows victims to file for protective orders in any location, not just where the abuse occurred.
If you find yourself embroiled in some kind of domestic violence, whether it is physical or verbal, or a custody battle, seek help. Contact a lawyer or advocacy group and let them connect you with the sources that can help you. If you are someone who compromises your child’s well-being—mentally or physically—beware. The stakes are high. Keep in mind that psychology professionals, courts, mediation experts, and others, including legislators are becoming far more aware and are working on new laws, all of which are aimed at safeguarding rights and protections of children.