RULE 94.04 H
               MANDATORY PARENT EDUCATION WORKSHOP


H.  MANDATORY INFORMATION PROGRAM FOR PARENTS

     The Douglas County Superior Court finds that it is in the
best interest of any child whose parents or custodians are
involved in specific court proceedings to provide such parents
with an educational workshop concerning the impact family
restructuring has on their child.  The workshop offers parents
tools to help ensure that their child’s emotional needs will
not be overlooked during the legal processes, to encourage
parents to agree on child-related matters, and to aid in
maximizing the use of court time.

     (1)  Types of Proceedings Required.  Each person named as
a party in the following types of proceedings filed after
January 1, 1999 must comply with Local Rule 94.04H:

      1.   Dissolution of Marriage with child(ren) under 18 years old;

      2.   Legal Separation or Declaration of Invalidity with
           child(ren) under 18 years old.

      3.   Petition to establish custody or visitation including
           paternity, and/or

      4.   Post-judgment petition involving custody or visitation.


     (2)  Service on Parties.  The Clerk of the court shall
provide a copy of this rule (LR 94.04H) to the initiating party
for service upon all parties against whom relief is sought,
together with a statement describing the program including
contact telephone numbers, addresses, statement of costs, and an
explanation of how to request a waiver or deferral of the program
registration fee.

     (3)  Mandatory.  Each party who files an appearance in a
proceeding of the types described above in Section (1) shall
complete the program unless exempted by the court.  No final
order approving any residential or parenting plan shall be
entered without proof of completion of such education program by
the parents or legal guardians unless otherwise ordered by the
court.

     (4)  Ninety (90) Day Deadline.  Each party shall attend and
complete an approved parenting workshop within ninety (90) days
of filing a proceeding specified in Section (1) above.

     (5)  Exemption.  The Court may exempt one or both parties
from completion of the program if, after reviewing the requesting
party’s motion and supporting affidavit, the Court determines
that participation is unnecessary.

     (6)  Approved Program.  The parent education program
sponsored by the Washington State University (WSU) Extension
Service is an approved program.  Other programs may be approved
by application to the Court.

     (7)  Proof of Completion.  Upon completion of the program,
the workshop provider shall issue a certificate of completion to
each program participant.  The certificate of completion shall be
filed with the Clerk of the Court.

     (8)  Non-Complying Parties – Attorney’s Fees Sanctions.  A party who
has completed the program shall have the right to request entry of an
order from the court compelling the non-complying party’s
completion of the program.  Should the non-complying party fail
to complete the program in a timely manner without good reason,
the court shall enter an award of reasonable attorney fees
incurred for obtaining an order for compliance in favor of the
complying party who uses this option to force the non-complying
party into compliance or other sanctions as set forth below.

     (9)  Other Sanctions.  If upon order of the court a non-
complying party continues to refuse participation, the refusal
may be considered by the Court in making its ruling on issues
that are in dispute and/or may be grounds for contempt.

     (10) Fees.  Each party shall pay the fee charged by the
approved provider.  The Court shall reduce the fee to fifteen
dollars ($15.00) whenever the filing fee has been waived.  The
court may waive the entire fee upon special application to the
Court.


Adopted Effective September 1, 2002