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Committee unanimously backs allowing counsel at court‑ordered consultations and mediations
Summary
The committee voted 8-0 to recommend House Bill 503, which would allow parents to be represented by counsel during court‑ordered priority consultations and mediation; sponsors and survivors' advocates said the change would protect vulnerable parties in tense custody proceedings.
Representative Luhan presented House Bill 503, a bill that would permit parents participating in court‑ordered priority consultations or mediation to be represented by counsel during those proceedings and advisory consultations.
Supporters argued counsel can be critical during a highly emotional, consequential process. Alexandria Taylor, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, said mediation can be a risk for survivors of sexual and domestic violence and that the ability to have counsel present is an important protection. Nat Dean and other witnesses described problems and confusion when mediators or court‑appointed specialists operate without clear rules for attorney participation. Sponsors emphasized the bill does not itself create the funding mechanism for appointing counsel for indigent parties; separate legislation was mentioned that would require appointment in domestic‑violence cases.
Representative E. Chavez moved for a do‑pass recommendation; the committee recorded an 8‑0 vote to advance HB503. The committee noted the bill clarifies parties' ability to have representation during mediation/priority consultation without changing courtroom rules on counsel in formal litigation.
Ending: The bill was reported out of committee by an 8‑0 vote and will move forward in the legislative process; sponsors and advocates signaled interest in follow‑on measures to ensure counsel for low‑income survivors in some cases.
