H.B. No. 0196

Divorce actions-parenting classes.

 

Sponsored By:                    Representative(s) Iekel, Alden, Berger, Gay and Warren and Senator(s) Burns and Massie

 

AN ACT relating to child custody and visitation resulting from divorce proceedings; modifying and expanding parent education participation; imposing conditions and requirements; providing for exemptions; and providing for an effective date.

 

1/12/2005               Bill Number Assigned

1/13/2005               H Received for Introduction

1/14/2005               H Introduced and Referred to H01

1/26/2005               H01 Recommended Amend and Do Pass

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:  Representative(s) Alden, Bagby, Buchanan, Landon, Lubnau, Olsen, Robinson and White

Nays:  Representative(s) Watt

Ayes 8    Nays 1    Excused 0    Absent 0    Conflicts 0

 

1/26/2005               H Placed on General File

 

HB0196HS001/ADOPTED  (CORRECTED COPY)

Page 1-line 2                            After "divorce" insert "or custody modification".

Page 1-line 9                            Delete "a".

Page 1-line 10                          Delete "subsection" insert "subsections"; delete "is" insert "and (h) and 20-2-204 by creating a new subsection (d) are".

Page 2-lines 8 and 9                 Delete entirely.

Page 2-line 10                          Delete the line through ".".

Page 2-line 16                          Delete the line after "Be".

Page 2-line 17                          Delete entirely.

Page 2-line 18                          Delete the line through ", and".

Page 2-line 19                          After "entity" insert "and be presented by at least one (1) presenter who possesses a graduate degree from an accredited college or university in child development, family life education, marriage and family therapy, social work, counseling psychology or a closely related field, or by a presenter with a bachelor's degree with at least five (5) years training in family systems and the developmental stages of children.  Any institution or entity providing a parent education program under this subsection shall demonstrate proof of continuing professional liability insurance and shall maintain records for all participants of a program for a minimum of five (5) years".

Page 4-line 2                            Delete "." insert ";".

Page 4-After line 2                               Insert:

"(K)  Resources available in the community to obtain additional services;

(M)  Basic information regarding domestic relations court procedures, however the course shall not provide legal advice or counsel.".

Page 4-After line 5                               Insert:

"(v)  Provide a certificate of completion to the participant that includes at a minimum the date of attendance, participant's name and the name, address and phone number of the provider;

(vi)  Be responsible for collection of fees from any person ordered to participate except that no person may be excluded from the program for inability to pay the fee.  The service provider shall provide a fee schedule with provisions allowing all persons who are indigent or unable to pay to participate in the program;

(vii)  Ensure the safety and confidentiality of all participants and presenters of the program and not require both parties to attend the program at the same time;".

Page 4-After line 16                 Insert:

"(g)  The court may waive the attendance requirement under subsection (f) of this section on its own motion or on the motion of one (1) of the parties if the court determines that course attendance and completion are not:

(i)  Necessary;

(ii)  Appropriate;

(iii)  Feasible; or

(iv)  In the best interests of the parties and the children.".

Page 4-lines 18 through 24       Delete entirely.

Page 5-lines 2 through 7                       Delete entirely.

Page 5-After line 7                               Insert:

"(h)  All reports, findings, proceedings and data of a parent education program are confidential and privileged and are not subject to introduction into evidence in any civil action as to any statements made during the educational course or as to any findings, recommendations, evaluations, opinions or other actions of the parent education program.  However, information, documents or other records otherwise available from the original sources shall not be construed as immune from discovery or use in a civil action merely because they were disclosed during a parent education program.  No person who attends a parent education program shall be prevented from testifying to matters otherwise within his knowledge.

20-2-204.  Enforcement and modification.

(d)  A court having jurisdiction under W.S. 20-2-203 may require either or both of the parties to attend a parent education program as provided in W.S. 20-1-201.". 

Renumber as necessary.  LANDON, CHAIRMAN

2/3/2005 H Passed CoW

 

HB0196H2001/ADOPTED

Page 4-After line 5                               In the standing committee amendment (HB0196HS001/A) to this line, in paragraph (vii); after "time" delete ";" insert ".".

Page 4-lines 7 through 16         Delete entirely.  IEKEL

 

2/4/2005 H Passed 2nd Reading

2/7/2005 H Passed 3rd Reading

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:  Representative(s) Alden, Bagby, Berger, Brechtel, Brown, Buchanan, Davison, Gay, Gilmore, Gingery, Goggles, Hammons, Harshman, Hastert, Iekel, Jackson, Landon, Latta, Lubnau, Martin, McOmie, Meuli, Olsen, Osborn, Petersen, Powers, Slater, Thompson, Warren, Watt, White and Zwonitzer.

Nays:  Representative(s) Anderson, R., Barnard, Bucholz, Childers, Cohee, Diercks, Edwards, Esquibel, Hageman, Harvey, Hinckley, Illoway, Jones, Lockhart, Luthi, Miller, Morgan, Pedersen, Philp, Quarberg, Reese, Robinson, Samuelson, Semlek, Simpson, Walsh and Wasserburger.

Excused:  Representative(s) Jorgensen

Ayes 32    Nays 27    Excused 1    Absent 0    Conflicts 0

 

2/8/2005 S Received for Introduction

2/8/2005 S Introduced and Referred to S01

3/3/2005 Died In Committee