HF 1909

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 01/24/2012 10:50am

A bill for an act
relating to families; establishing a roster and training requirements for parenting
consultants; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 518.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [518.1753] PARENTING CONSULTANT TRAINING; ROSTER.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin (a) The purpose of a parenting consultant is to resolve
parenting disputes between parents who are involved in legal proceedings related to
parenting time.
new text end

new text begin (b) A "parenting consultant" is a neutral third party whose duties and responsibilities
are defined by a court order, unless the parties voluntarily select a neutral third party to
provide parenting consultant services. A parenting consultant shall only have the powers
enumerated in the court order appointing the consultant.
new text end

new text begin (c) A parenting consultant is subject to the jurisdiction of Rule 114 of the Minnesota
General Rules of Practice for the District Courts.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Roster of parenting consultants. new text end

new text begin The state court administrator shall
establish, maintain, and make available to the public and judicial officers a roster of
individuals to serve as parenting consultants. The state court administrator shall not place
on the roster the name of an individual who has not completed the training required in
subdivision 3, or whose professional license has been revoked. To maintain one's listing
on the roster of parenting consultants, an individual must annually submit to the state court
administrator proof of completion of continuing education requirements.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Training and continuing education requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) To qualify for
listing on the state court administrator's roster of parenting consultants, an individual
must complete a minimum of 20 hours of approved training that includes, but is not
limited to, the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) family dynamics in separation and divorce;
new text end

new text begin (2) Minnesota laws and rules pertaining to parenting consultants;
new text end

new text begin (3) the Alternate Dispute Resolution Code of Ethics set forth in the Appendix to
Rule 114;
new text end

new text begin (4) the role of the parenting consultant;
new text end

new text begin (5) drafting agreements and court documents; and
new text end

new text begin (6) dynamics and issues in domestic violence.
new text end

new text begin (b) To maintain one's listing on the state court administrator's roster of parenting
consultants, an individual must annually attend three hours of continuing education about
alternative dispute resolution subjects.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Code of ethics; review board. new text end

new text begin Parenting consultants are subject to the
jurisdiction of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Review Board and required to comply
with the Alternate Dispute Resolution Code of Ethics. Complaints against a parenting
consultant shall be investigated as required under the Appendix to Rule 114 of the
Minnesota General Rules of Practice for the District Courts.
new text end