Why the 2026 Amendment Matters
Standard 5.20 now expressly addresses providers of supervised visitation and exchange services. The updated framework also recognizes supervised audiovisual virtual visitation, reflecting how some parent-child contact is now provided through real-time technology.
Exchange Services Are Expressly Included
The updated title and scope refer to supervised visitation and exchange services. Providers should apply professional neutrality, safety, documentation, order review, and written-procedure principles to exchanges rather than treating them as informal transportation or handoff arrangements.
Supervised Audiovisual Virtual Visitation
The standard now expressly addresses audiovisual virtual contact. Professional providers offering this service should use written policies that consider safety, privacy, the child’s age and developmental needs, available technology, equipment, internet access, and the provider’s ability to observe and respond appropriately.
Written Policies and Preparation
Virtual contact should not be treated as an ordinary personal video call. Providers need procedures for participant identity, location, privacy, prohibited recording, technology failure, adult assistance, inappropriate content or conduct, acute distress, and interruption or termination.
Updated Provider Declarations
The Judicial Council’s current professional-provider declaration is titled Declaration of Supervised Visitation and Exchange Services Provider (Professional). Providers should use the current mandatory form and follow the local court’s filing or maintenance procedure.
What Did Not Change
The core professional-provider duties remain central: neutrality, safety, separate screening, current order review, written terms, mandated reporting, objective records, identifying-information protection, and documented reasons for interruptions or terminations.
This is a major-theme summary. It does not reproduce every amendment or substitute for reading the current standard and mandatory forms.