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AB 2789CALIFORNIASession 20252026

AB 2789 expands mediation notice requirements and mandates domestic violence safety protocols in child custody cases

Original title: Mediation: child custody and visitation.

August 22, 2026

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The Frame

What this does

This bill changes the procedural rights and safety protections for parents and family members involved in contested custody or visitation disputes by standardizing how they are notified of and how domestic violence concerns are handled during the process.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Parents

Parents involved in contested custody or visitation cases are subject to new notice requirements and safety protocols during mediation.

Stepparents and Grandparents

Those seeking visitation rights are included in the expanded mediation notice requirements.

Mediators

Mediators are required to conduct separate meetings upon request when domestic violence or protective orders are involved.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 22, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

AB 2789 requires courts to provide written notice of to all parties, including in-person notification by court staff, and mandates that mediation notices include information on confidentiality and safety protocols for domestic violence cases. The bill specifically requires mediators to meet separately with parties if there is a history of domestic violence or an active , upon the request of the party alleging abuse.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I be notified about mediation under this new bill?
In addition to existing methods, the bill requires that all parties receive written notice, which can be provided by court staff if you are present at a court hearing.
What happens if I have a history of domestic violence with the other party?
If there is a history of domestic violence or an active , you can request that the mediator meet with you and the other party separately and at different times.

Why It Matters

This bill changes the procedural rights and safety protections for parents and family members involved in contested custody or visitation disputes by standardizing how they are notified of and how domestic violence concerns are handled during the process.

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Prioritization of Domestic Violence Safety in Mediation

The bill codifies a specific procedural right for victims of domestic violence to request separate mediation sessions, shifting from general mediation practices to a more safety-conscious framework.

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance60
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy20
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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