To amend the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to carry out research, and develop judicial training curricula, relating to child custody litigation.
PL 102-528 (H.R.1253), enacted 10/27/1992

PUBLIC LAW 102-528—OCT. 27, 1992 
106 STAT. 3461 
Public Law 102-528 
102d Congress 
An Act 
To amend the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to carry out research, and develop 
Oct. 27, 1992 
judicial training curricula, relating to child custody litigation. 
[H.R. 1253] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. 
Section 202 of the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 
U.S.C. 10701) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6) by striking "and" at the end, 
(2) in paragraph (7) by striking the period at the end 
and inserting "; and", and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
"(8) 'domestic violence' means— 
"(A) any action that constitutes— 
"(i) attempting to cause or intentionally, know-
ingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury or physical 
illness; 
"(ii) rape, sexual assault, or causing involuntary 
deviate sexual intercourse; 
"(iii) placing by physical menace another in fear 
of imminent serious bodily injury; or 
"(iv) the infliction of false imprisonment; 
if such action is taken by one of 2 spouses, former spouses, 
or sexual or intimate partners against the other spouse, 
former spouse, or partner and the 2 of whom share 
biological parenthood of, have adopted, are legal custodians 
of, or are stepparents of a minor child; or 
"(B) physically or sexually abusing such minor child 
if such abuse is inflicted by either of such spouses, former 
spouses, or partners.". 
SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR RESEARCH AND 
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT RELATING TO CHILD CUS-
TODY LITIGATION. 
Section 206(c) of the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 
U.S.C. 10705(c)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (12) by striking "and" at the end, 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (13) as paragraph (14), 
and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following: 
"(13) conduct not more than 5 projects at an aggregate 
cost of not to exceed $600,000— 
"(A) to investigate, and carry out research regarding 
State judicial decisions relating to child custody litigation 
involving domestic violence; 
"(B) to develop training curricula to assist State courts 
to develop an understanding of, and appropriate responses 
to, child custody litigation involving domestic violence; and 
106 STAT. 3462 
PUBLIC LAW 102-528—OCT. 27, 1992 
"(C) to disseminate the results of the investigation 
and research carried out under subparagraph (A), and the 
curricula developed under subparagraph (B), to State 
courts; and". 
SEC. 3. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS. 
The State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10701 et 
seq.) is amended— 
42 use 10702. 
(1) in section 203(0 by striking the last sentence, 
(2) in section 206(c), as amended by section 2— 
(A) in paragraph (3) by striking "judicial and" the 
second place it appears, 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (14) as 
paragraphs (5) through (15), respectively, and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 
"(4) to support studies of the appropriateness of efficacy 
of court organization and financing structures in particular 
States, and to enable States to implement plans for improved 
court organization and finance;". 
Approved October 27, 1992. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1253: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 102-992 (Ck)mm. on the Judiciary)-
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 138 (1992): 
Oct. 3, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 7, considered and passed Senate. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 28 (1992): 
Oct. 27, Presidential statement.