Committee unanimously approves Sen. Diamond bill to help protect children from domestic violence

AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, a bill from Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, to increase training for guardians ad litem to better protect children from domestic violence was approved by the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. An amended version of LD 1408, “An Act To Increase the Protection of Children from Domestic Abuse and Violence,” received a unanimous, bipartisan vote of support from committee members.

“Guardians ad litem are an important part of our legal system, and they do great work to protect Maine kids,” said Sen. Diamond. “We must make sure that they have the training and information necessary to recognize domestic abuse and violence and to understand the affect it can have on children and families. I’m grateful to the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence and all of the organizations doing good work around the state for their partnership on this bill.”

Guardians ad litem are trained, court-appointed individuals tasked with gathering information and making recommendations to the court regarding the best interest of the child in some family matters and child protection cases.

As amended, LD 1408 would require guardians ad litem to receive no less than six hours of core training on domestic abuse and violence, to be developed in collaboration with domestic violence resource centers. Training must include the impacts of domestic violence on children, best practices for recognizing and assessing abuse and its effects on the parenting relationship, and promoting child safety and security. In addition, guardians ad litem must have two hours of continuing education annually on the impact of domestic abuse and violence on children. Ongoing training must include the services available to adult and child victims of domestic abuse and violence, as well as interventions for those who commit domestic abuse.

LD 1408 now faces votes in the Senate and the House.