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2003 SESSION

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HB 2128 Custody, visitation, support; educational seminars.

Introduced by: John S. Reid | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS PASSED: (all summaries)

Parent education; custody, visitation, and support cases. Eliminates the 2003 sunset and modifies the existing requirements that parents attend educational seminars addressing the effects of separation or divorce on children, parenting responsibilities, etc. Under the bill the parties to any petition for custody, visitation or support shall show proof that they have attended within 12 months before their first court appearance or shall attend within 45 days thereafter an educational seminar that is at least four hours in length. Once a party has completed one educational program, the required completion of additional programs is at the court's discretion. Such programs are to be completed, where possible, prior to participating in mediation or alternative dispute resolution, and the court may grant an exemption from attendance of such program for good cause shown or if there is no program reasonably available. Parties include natural or adoptive parents, or any person with a legitimate interest as defined in § 20-124.1. The fee for such programs shall be based on ability to pay, but shall in no case exceed $50. This bill is identical to SB 1097.


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