WA SB5706

Requires professionals advising courts on child custody cases involving domestic violence or child abuse allegations to have substantial training in domestic violence dynamics, lethality risks, effects on children, and batterer behavior patterns

Mandates that when domestic violence is proven by preponderance of evidence, the safe parent receives sole custody and the abusive parent gets only supervised visitation until completing at least a six-month accountability program

Prohibits courts from ordering mental health evaluations in domestic violence cases unless there is substantial basis to believe parties have mental health impairments affecting parenting, and prohibits using "high conflict" case approaches when abuse allegations are supported by expert reports

Requires courts to hold early evidentiary hearings on domestic violence allegations before appointing guardians ad litem or evaluators in cases with restraining orders, criminal charges, or other evidence of possible abuse

Mandates specialized training for judges and guardians ad litem handling domestic violence and child abuse cases, with training provided by domestic violence advocates and experts