SF 2244

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/14/2012 09:01am

A bill for an act
relating to family law; requiring mediation to develop parenting plans; requiring
training; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 480.30, by adding a
subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 518.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 480.30, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Parenting plans. new text end

new text begin The Supreme Court's judicial education program must
include ongoing parenting plan training for district court judges.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [518.161] MEDIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) When jurisdiction is established over the parties in a dissolution of marriage
proceeding in which child custody matters will be determined, the court shall immediately
issue an order for the parties to attend two hours of mediation to develop a parenting
plan, unless:
new text end

new text begin (1) neither party can afford mediation;
new text end

new text begin (2) the court finds that a parent has committed domestic abuse against a parent or a
child who is a party to, or subject of, the matter before the court; or
new text end

new text begin (3) the court finds that section 518.179 applies.
new text end

new text begin (b) The court must order the parties to participate in mediation before the court may
order the parties to participate in early neutral evaluation.
new text end