Section 3428 Of Chapter 2. Jurisdiction From California Family Law Code >> Division 8. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 2.
3428
. (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3424 or by any
other law of this state, if a court of this state has jurisdiction
under this part because a person seeking to invoke its jurisdiction
has engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to
exercise its jurisdiction unless one of the following are true:
(1) The parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced
in the exercise of jurisdiction.
(2) A court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under
Sections 3421 to 3423, inclusive, determines that this state is a
more appropriate forum under Section 3427.
(3) No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the
criteria specified in Sections 3421 to 3423, inclusive.
(b) If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction
pursuant to subdivision (a), it may fashion an appropriate remedy to
ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the
unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child
custody proceeding is commenced in a court having jurisdiction under
Sections 3421 to 3423, inclusive.
(c) If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because
it declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision (a),
it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction
necessary and reasonable expenses including costs, communication
expenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for
witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during the course of the
proceedings, unless the party from whom fees are sought establishes
that the assessment would be clearly inappropriate. The court may not
assess fees, costs, or expenses against this state unless authorized
by law other than this part.
(d) In making a determination under this section, a court shall
not consider as a factor weighing against the petitioner any taking
of the child, or retention of the child after a visit or other
temporary relinquishment of physical custody, from the person who has
legal custody, if there is evidence that the taking or retention of
the child was a result of domestic violence against the petitioner,
as defined in Section 6211.