LSPR 94.03
                MANDATORY PARENTING SEMINARS


     (a) Definition of Applicable Cases.  This rule applies
to all domestic cases including dissolutions, legal
separations, and paternity actions (in which paternity has
been established) where the parties are parents of children
under the age of 18, and where a parenting plan or
residential plan is required.  The rule also applies to
parties in an action seeking a major modification, as
defined by RCW 26.09.260, of a previous parenting or
residential plan or Decree or Order regarding custody.

     (b) Parenting Seminars;  Mandatory Attendance.  Within
60 days after service of a petition or initiating motion on
the respondent, or, in the case of a paternity action, after
the entry by the Court of a finding of paternity, both
parties shall participate in, and successfully complete, an
approved Parenting Seminar.  Standards for approved
parenting seminars are set forth in sections (g), (h) and
(i) below.  Successful completion shall be evidenced by a
certificate of attendance filed by the provider agency with the court.

     The provider may also provide a separate class for
petitioners involved in cases where the respondent has or is
expected to default.  The seminar shall also meet the
standards in (g), (h), and (i) below as applicable, and
shall also provide any additional information which may be
relevant to this type of case.

     (c) Permissive Application.  In additional cases
arising under Title 26 RCW where a court makes a
discretionary finding that a parenting seminar would be in
the best interest of the children, both parents, and such
non-parent parties as the court may direct, shall also
participate in a parenting seminar.

     (d) Special Considerations/Waiver.

     (1) In no case shall opposing parties be required to
attend a seminar together.

     (2) Upon a showing of domestic violence or abuse which
would not require mutual decision-making pursuant to RCW
26.09.191, or that a parent's attendance at a seminar is not
in the children's best interest, the court shall either:

          (a) waive the requirement of completion of the
          seminar;  or

          (b) allow the parent to attend an alternative
          voluntary parenting seminar for battered spouses.

     (3) The court may waive the seminar requirement for one
or both parents in any case for good cause shown.  Factors
to consider include, but are not limited to, whether the
action will be resolved by default, one or more parties
reside out of the geographical area and availability of
parent education programs where the parties reside, the ages
of the child(ren), and whether the parents have arrived at
an agreed parenting plan which is approved by the court.

     (e) Fees.  Each parent attending a seminar shall pay a
fee charged by the approved provider.  The seminars shall be
conducted at no cost to the county.

     (f) Failure to Comply.  Non-participation or default by
one parent does not excuse participation by the other
parent.  Respondent's refusal, delay or default will not
delay the progress of the case to a final decree.
Petitioner's refusal or delay will prevent the case from
being set for trial or any final order affecting the
parenting/residential plan being entered, except in cases
where there is a co-petitioner or counter petitioner who is
in full compliance.  Willful refusal or delay by either
parent may constitute contempt of court and result in
sanctions imposed by the court, or may result in the
imposition of monetary terms, default and/or striking of pleadings.

     The Court shall also have the discretion to continue or
strike motions brought by a party during the pendency of an
action until the class has been completed.

     (g) Provider Agencies.  Approved Parenting Seminars
shall be those offered by providers who comply with seminar
content requirements as specified in this rule.  Parties may
use equivalent services offered by private agencies or
religious organizations, upon approval by the Committee.
The Committee will maintain a list of providers who have
filed a statement of compliance with the Committee.  If the
providers' qualifications are challenged, they shall be
notified by the Committee of the process to resolve any
questions regarding their future approval.  The provider
will then have an opportunity to respond to any challenges
to their qualifications.

     (h) Seminar Content.  The seminar content will be
approved by the Committee, and shall include, at a minimum:

     (1) the developmental stages of childhood;

     (2) stress indicators in children;

     (3) age appropriate expectations of children;

     (4) the impact of divorce on children;

     (5) the grief process;

     (6) reducing stress for children through an amicable divorce;

     (7) the long term impact of parental conflict on children;

     (8) visitation recommendations to enhance the child's
relationship with both parents;

     (9) financial obligations of child rearing;

     (10) conflict management and dispute resolution;

     (11) communication skills for divorced parents;

     (12) practical skills for working together; and

     (13) the impact on children when stepparents and
blended families enter their lives.

     (i) Qualifications of Instructors.  Parenting seminars
shall be taught by a team of not less than two instructors,
including one male and one female.  Arrangements may be made
for classes limited to one or two attendees, in which case
two instructors are not required.  Instructors should have
the following minimum credentials and experience:

     (1) a master's degree in social work, psychology or
other related behavioral science;

     (2) supervised experience in treatment of emotionally
disturbed children, adolescents and their families;

     (3) experience in providing a wide range of mental
health services to children and families, with specific
experience in the areas of separation/divorce, loss and
grief, and blended families;

     (4) extensive knowledge of child development, age
appropriate expectations for children, and positive parenting;

     (5) an ability to work with others (both groups and
individuals) as part of a collaborative program;  and

     (6) strong oral communication skills.

     When parties choose to use providers or religious
organizations which have not previously been accepted by the
Committee as a provider of parenting seminars, the court may
modify or waive the foregoing qualifications for the
instructors upon a showing of functional equivalency.

     (j) Referrals for Other Services.  During the seminar,
referral resources will be made available to the parents and
their children, including individual and family counseling,
drug/alcohol counseling, anger management counseling,
parenting classes, etc.  These services are optional, and
the parties must seek their own funding resources.

     (k) Parent Education Committee.  The Parent Education
Committee shall be a standing sub-committee of the Spokane
County Superior Court and shall consist of at least one
judge, one court commissioner, one or more representatives
of local dispute resolution agencies, one or more marriage
and family therapists, one or more private attorneys, and
others as appropriate.