LCR  95.04
             MANDATORY PARENT EDUCATION WORKSHOP


The Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties Superior Courts
find 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 October 1, 1999, must comply with Local Rule 95.04:

          1. Dissolution of marriage with child(ren) under 18 years old;
          2. Legal separation or declaration of invalidity of
             marriage 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 95.04) 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’s fees and costs 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.  Other sanctions as set forth in
     Section (9) below may also be ordered.

     (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
     rulings on issues which are in dispute and may be
     grounds for contempt, striking of pleadings, and/or default.

     (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 superior court
     filing fee has been waived.  The court may further
     reduce or waive all of the fee upon special application
     to the court.


[Adopted effective September 1, 1999.]