1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to family law; authorizing courts to require 
  1.3             parties to participate in orientation programs in 
  1.4             proceedings involving children; proposing coding for 
  1.5             new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 518. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  [518.157] [ORIENTATION IN PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING 
  1.8   CHILDREN.] 
  1.9      In a proceeding under this chapter involving custody, 
  1.10  support, or visitation of children, the court may require the 
  1.11  parties to attend an orientation and education program regarding 
  1.12  the proceedings and the impact on the children.  Upon request of 
  1.13  a party and a showing of good cause, the court shall excuse the 
  1.14  party from attending the program.  Parties may be required to 
  1.15  pay a fee to cover the cost of the program, except that if a 
  1.16  party is entitled to proceed in forma pauperis under section 
  1.17  563.01, the court shall waive the fee or direct its payment 
  1.18  under section 563.01.  The court may not require the parties to 
  1.19  attend the same orientation session.