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Bill to require domestic‑violence training for judges and tighten guardian ad litem rules draws split testimony
Summary
Senate Bill 318 would add mandatory, evidence‑based domestic‑violence training for judiciary involved in family law and tighten qualifications for guardian ad litem (GAL) roles; proponents described failures in family court that they say led to harm, while judicial and legal groups warned of statutory overreach and access problems in rural areas.
Senate Bill 318, presented by a sponsor from the Senate, would revise custody law and require evidence‑based domestic‑violence (DV) training for judges and court professionals handling family law, add best‑interest factors regarding abuse, and tighten qualifications and procedures for guardian ad litem appointments.
Proponents — a long list that included survivors, advocacy groups and national experts — urged the committee to pass the bill, calling it "Brody's Law" in memory of a child whose family supporters say was failed by the family court system. Kyla Hailstone of the Montana Family Court Aware Project said the bill follows years of study and aims to close gaps that allow unqualified experts and questionable practices to sway custody decisions. "This…
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