RULE NO. 17
                           MANDATORY PARENTING SEMINARS


I.   Applicable Cases

     A. This rule shall apply to all cases filed after April 1, 1997
        under Ch.26.09, Ch.26.10, or Ch.26.26 RCW which require a parenting
        plan or residential plan for minor children, including dissolution's,
        legal separations, major modifications, paternity actions in which
        paternity has been established, and non-parental custody actions.

II.  Mandatory Attendance

     A. In all cases governed by this rule, all parties shall complete a parenting
        seminar approved by the Court. Standards for parenting seminars shall be
        established by the Court and providers shall be approved by the Court.

III. Timing

     A. Parties required by this rule to participate in parenting seminars shall
        complete an approved parenting seminar within 90 days after service of the
        petition or motion initiating the action which is subject to this rule. In
        the case of paternity actions initiated by the prosecuting attorney's office,
        the parenting seminar shall be required only when paternity has been
        established or acknowledged and a parenting plan is requested. The seminar
        will be completed prior to the entry of a permanent parenting or residential plan.

     B. Upon completion of the parenting seminar, the seminar provider shall file
        a certificate of completion with the Clerk of the Court.

IV.  Fees

     A. Each party attending a seminar shall pay a fee charged by the approved provider
        and sanctioned by the Court. The Court may waive the fee for indigent parties.

V.   Special Consideration/Waivers

     A. In no case shall opposing parties be required to attend a seminar together.

     B. If the Court determines that attendance at a seminar is not in the children's
        best interest, pursuant to Ch.26.12 RCW, the Court shall either:

        1. Waive the requirement of completion of the seminar; or

        2. Allow participation in an alternative parenting seminar, if available.

     C. The Court may waive the seminar requirement or extend the time for attendance
        of the seminar for good cause shown.

VI.  Service on Parties

     A. The Clerk of the Court shall provide a copy of this rule 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 referral of the program registration fee.

VII. Failure to Comply

     A. Willful refusal to participate in a parenting seminar or willful delay in
        completion of a parenting seminar by any party will constitute contempt of
        court and may result in sanctions, including but not limited to, imposition
        of monetary terms, striking of pleadings, or denial of affirmative relief to
        a party not in compliance with this rule.


(Adopted effective September 1, 1997)