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SB318 would require domestic‑violence training for judges and tighten guardian‑ad‑litem standards; supporters cited child safety, opponents warned of unintended
Summary
SB318 would require evidence‑based, peer‑reviewed DV and child‑abuse training for judges and alter guardian ad litem (GAL) rules; survivors and advocacy groups urged passage, while judges and court administrators raised separation‑of‑powers and practical concerns about mandating training and requiring GALs to be attorneys.
Sen. Dennis Lenz opened Senate Bill 318 as a package aimed at improving family‑law outcomes in cases involving domestic violence by requiring training for judges and tightening qualifications for guardian ad litem appointments.
Proponents described a pattern in custody cases where courts relied on unqualified experts and 'parental alienation' theories that could silence victims and endanger children. Kyla Hailstone, director of the Montana Family Court Awareness Project, said the state had no DV training requirements for court professionals and that SB318 fills that gap. "SB318 is a pivotal step forward," she told the committee,…
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