Rule 8.013 - Mandatory Parent Education Program(1) Jackson County has established a Parent Education program of the type authorized by ORS 3.425. All parties involved in a case that includes a child under the age of 17 years shall successfully complete a court-approved CoParenting Education Program. The program provides information on the impact of family restructuring on children to each person named as a party in the following types of proceedings involving minor children:(a) annulment or dissolution;(c) petition to establish custody or parenting time; and(d) post-judgment litigation involving custody or parenting time.(2) Each party who files an appearance in a proceeding of the types described above shall complete the Parent Education program prior to any court hearing and prior to attending mediation unless otherwise waived by the court. However, if a party filing a post judgment motion to modify involving custody or parenting time has previously filed a Parenting Education Program completion certificate with the court, that party shall not be required to complete the Parent Education Program a second time.(3) A final judgment shall not be entered in the proceeding until each party who has filed an appearance has attended the Parent Education program and has filed a Certificate of Completion with the court unless otherwise waived by the court.(4) A statement of the requirements of this local rule and instructions on how to attend the program shall be served by the initiating party on all parties against whom relief is sought. Service shall be completed in the manner provided in ORCP 7 at the time the initiating documents are served. (5) The clerk shall provide a statement of the requirements 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 and addresses. (6) The program provider shall issue a certificate of completion to the court when the participant has completed the program.(7) The court may exempt one or both parties from the program if, after reviewing the requesting party's motion and supporting affidavit(s), the court determines that the participation is unnecessary or inappropriate or the parties select and participate in comparable education programs with prior approval of the court.(8) The court shall actively promote each party's completion of the program. Failure or refusal to complete the program in a timely manner shall be considered by the court in making its ruling on issues which are in dispute.(9) A party who has completed the program shall have the right, as set forth in UTCR 1.090(2), to: (a) request the pleadings of a party who has appeared be stricken if that party has not completed the program in a timely manner without good reason; and(b) request entry of an order from the court to compel the non-complying party's completion of the program should the non-complying party have appeared and not completed the program in a timely manner without good reason. The court may enter an award of attorney fees in favor of the complying party who utilizes this option to force the non-complying party's compliance with this rule.(10) Court action on a petition shall not be delayed by a party's refusal or delay in completing the program unless the non-complying party has appeared in the proceeding.Jackson Supp. L. R. 8.013
Amended effective 2/1/2024.