1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to family law; requiring a minimum of eight 
  1.3             hours participation in a parent education program in 
  1.4             contested custody or parenting time cases; amending 
  1.5             Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 518.157, subdivision 
  1.6             3. 
  1.7   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.8      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 518.157, 
  1.9   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  1.10     Subd. 3.  [ATTENDANCE.] In a proceeding under this chapter 
  1.11  or sections 257.51 to 257.75 where custody or parenting time is 
  1.12  contested involving custody, support, or parenting time, the 
  1.13  parents of a minor child shall attend a minimum of eight hours 
  1.14  in an orientation and education program that meets the minimum 
  1.15  standards promulgated by the Minnesota Supreme Court.  In all 
  1.16  other proceedings involving custody, support, or parenting time 
  1.17  the court may order the parents of a minor child to attend a 
  1.18  parent education program.  The program shall provide the court 
  1.19  with names of persons who fail to attend the parent education 
  1.20  program as ordered by the court.  Persons who are separated or 
  1.21  contemplating involvement in a dissolution, paternity, custody, 
  1.22  or parenting time proceeding may attend a parent education 
  1.23  program without a court order.  Unless otherwise ordered by the 
  1.24  court, participation in a parent education program must occur as 
  1.25  early as possible begin within 45 days of service of the summons 
  1.26  or as soon as practicable after that time based on the 
  2.1   reasonable availability of classes for the program for the 
  2.2   parent.  Parent education programs must offer an opportunity to 
  2.3   participate at all phases of a pending or postdecree 
  2.4   proceeding.  Upon request of a party and a showing of good 
  2.5   cause, the court may excuse the party from attending the 
  2.6   program.  If past or present domestic abuse, as defined in 
  2.7   chapter 518B, is alleged, the court shall not require the 
  2.8   parties to attend the same parent education sessions and shall 
  2.9   enter an order setting forth the manner in which the parties may 
  2.10  safely participate in the program.