(B) The Judicial Council shall develop a form necessary to effectuate subparagraph (A) on or before July 1, 2022.
(2) (A) Prior to any hearing on custody and visitation, all children 12 years of age or older whose parents or guardians have a case in family court shall be informed of their right to give input to the court.
(B) If the court determines that it is appropriate pursuant to the best interest of a child under 12 years of age to address the court regarding custody or visitation, the child shall be informed by the parties in age-appropriate language that they have a right to provide input and information regarding their preferences for custody or
visitation, if the child wishes.
(3) If the child who wishes to give input does not wish to speak to the court directly, arrangements shall be made for alternate methods of providing input and information.
(4) If a child is interviewed by a child custody evaluator, investigator, mediator, or other court-connected professional, the child shall immediately be informed of the child’s right to address the court by the child custody evaluator, investigator, mediator, or other court-connected professional.
(5) If the child wishes to be heard, the court shall schedule a hearing within a reasonable time after receipt of the notification or information that the child wishes to provide input.
(6) The court shall not make a final decision on custody or visitation
without documentation in the record, as specified in paragraph (1), demonstrating that the child has been informed pursuant to this subdivision, any input the child wishes to give has been obtained in accordance with this section, and, if relevant, the hearing described in paragraph (5) has occurred.
(7) If the child wishes to have their testimony and preference remain private because of physical or sexual safety or concerns of retaliation, the court shall ensure the child is safe and is not retaliated against.
(A) If the child has disclosed to any governmental entity, including the court or a mandated reporter, that a parent or household member has physically or sexually abused, assaulted, or battered them or any family member, or there is corroborating evidence of abuse, the court shall give strong weight to the child’s preference for custody or visitation when that preference
provides safety for the child.
(B) If, in addressing the court in any form pursuant to Rule 5.250 of the California Rules of Court, a child alleges or reports in any manner that they have been assaulted, battered, or sexually abused by a party who has or is seeking custody, or that they fear they will be retaliated against for their statements to the court, the court shall take immediate action to ensure the child’s safety, including issuing emergency orders if needed.
(C) A child 12 years of age or older who reports to the court that they have been battered, assaulted, or sexually abused by a person who has or is seeking unsupervised custody shall be informed of their right to request a restraining order and shall be provided information on how to access the restraining order process, including a referral to a domestic violence advocate for assistance in filing the restraining
order.
(D) If a child reports to the court, in any manner, that they have been assaulted, battered, or sexually abused by a parent who has or is seeking unsupervised custody, the court shall state the reasons on the record why the court believes the child will be safe in the unsupervised custody, visitation, or contact with that parent, prior to ordering the child into unsupervised custody, visitation, or contact with that parent.