Child custody: counseling of parents and child.

Existing law provides that a court, upon making certain findings, may require the parent or parents of a minor child, or any other party involved in a custody or visitation dispute, and the minor child to participate in outpatient counseling, as specified. This bill would prohibit a court from ordering a child to be transported to a facility or program, to be placed in a residential facility or program, or to participate in services or therapy, whether on a residential or outpatient basis, to address the child's alienation from a parent without first obtaining the consent of the other parent, the consent of the child, and the consent of the child's appointed counsel. If the child is 12 years of age or older, then consent of the other parent and the child would be required.