Relating to domestic relations proceedings involving parties with a history of domestic abuse

The bill directs the supreme court to establish, and prescribe rules for, the expedited dissolution process, and specifies minimum areas that the court shall address in the process and the rules prescribed. The bill also directs the supreme court to establish a domestic relations proceedings and domestic abuse task force to identify best practices for court processes and proceedings in domestic relations matters to address the needs of parties confronting domestic abuse and to reduce abusive litigation. The bill provides that at a minimum, the task force shall recommend changes in processes and court rules to address abusive litigation tactics used to intimidate, embarrass, harass, impoverish, or otherwise continue to abuse a party to a domestic relations proceeding; consider recommending the adoption of a one family–one judge assignment for the duration of domestic relations cases involving parties with a history of domestic abuse and the establishment of domestic violence courts to enhance victim safety and improve offender accountability; consider recommending sanctions to be imposed on parties who utilize abusive litigation tactics; and make recommendations for the education of judges, court personnel, attorneys, and others involved in domestic relations processes and proceedings involving parties with a history of domestic abuse to address the needs of the abused party and to avoid, recognize, and respond to abusive litigation.