Rule 924 Parenting Education Requirement
Article IX: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities | PART C. CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS UNDER ARTICLES II, III AND IV OF THE
Rule Text
(a) Program. Each circuit or county shall create or approve a parenting education program consisting of at least four hours covering the subjects of parenting time and allocation of parental responsibilities and their impact on children.
(b) Mandatory Attendance. Except when excused by the court for good cause shown, all parties shall be required to attend and complete an approved parenting education program as soon as possible, but not later than 60 days after an initial case management conference. In the case of a default or lack of jurisdiction over the respondent, only the petitioning party is required to attend but if the respondent later enters an appearance or participates in postjudgment proceedings, then the party who has not attended the program shall attend. The court shall not excuse attendance unless the reason is documented in the record and a finding is made that excusing one or both parents from attendance is in the best interests of the child.
(c) Sanctions. The court may impose sanctions on any party willfully failing to complete the program.
Adopted February 10, 2006, effective July 1, 2006; amended Mar. 8, 2016, eff. immediately.