Appointment; interview of child; court services

In the manner and to the extent authorized by chapter 23 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, the court may do one or more of the following: (a) Appoint a guardian ad litem for the child; (b) interview the child if such child is of sufficient age and maturity; (c) require the parties to participate in mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution, except that a party who has been the victim of a domestic violence offense, as defined in K.S.A. 21-5111, and amendments thereto, a sex offense described in article 55 of chapter 21 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, stalking as described in K.S.A. 21-5427, and amendments thereto, or other offense committed by another party to the proceeding shall not be required to participate unless reasonable procedures are in place to protect the party from a risk of harm, harassment or intimidation; or (d) order an evaluation, investigation or other assessment of the child's circumstances and the effect on the child of ordering or denying the requested visitation or modifying a visitation order.