(a) A parent shall not be placed on supervised visitation, or be denied custody of or visitation with the parent’s child, and custody or visitation rights shall not be limited, solely because the parent did any of the following:
(1) Lawfully reported suspected sexual abuse of the child.
(2) Otherwise acted lawfully, based on a reasonable belief, to determine if the child was the victim of sexual abuse.
(3) Sought treatment for the child from a licensed mental health professional for suspected sexual abuse.
(b) The court may order supervised visitation or limit a parent’s custody or visitation if the court finds substantial evidence that the parent, with the intent to interfere with the other parent’s lawful contact with the child, made a report of child sexual abuse, during a child custody proceeding or at any other time, that the reporting parent knew was false at the time it was made. A limitation of custody or visitation, including an order for supervised visitation, pursuant to this subdivision, or a statute regarding the making of a false child abuse report, shall be imposed only after the court has determined that the limitation is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the child, and the court has considered the state’s policy of ensuring that children have frequent and continuing contact with both parents as declared in subdivision (b) of Section 3020.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 115, Sec. 26. (AB 1817) Effective January 1, 2020.)