Rule 8.011 - MANDATORY PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM(1) Lane County has established a parent education program of the type authorized by ORS 3.425. The program shall provide information on the impact of family restructuring on children and skills for successful co-parenting after separation for parties in the following types of proceedings:(a) Annulment or dissolution of marriage(c) Petitions to establish custody or parenting time, including paternity cases when those issues are present(d) Post-judgment litigation involving custody and/or parenting time The class may be held in conjunction with the mandatory mediation orientation class, at the discretion of the program administrator.
(2) Parent Education Requirement: All parties, where the interest of a child under the age of 18 years is involved in a case described in subsection (1) above, shall successfully complete the parent education program offered by the Lane County Family Mediation Program, or an alternative education program preapproved by the Lane County Family Mediation Program.(3) Notice: A copy of a notice regarding this requirement outlined in subsection (2) of this rule and an explanation of the class provided by the Lane County Family Mediation Program shall be given to the initiating party by the trial court clerk accepting the filing at the time the initiating party's documents are filed. The initiating party shall serve a copy of this notice on the opposing party together with the Summons or other initiating document in the manner provided by ORCP 7, and the return of service on the opposing party shall indicate service of this notice as well as the other documents requiring service.(4) Registration: Parties shall register for the class or make application for approval of an alternative program within 15 days of receiving notice of the education requirement.(5) Fee: Each party shall pay a fee determined by the program provider to cover the program costs. The fee may be waived or reduced by the program provider.(6) Certificate of Completion: Each party who successfully completes the court's program or a preapproved alternative program shall file a certificate of completion with the court before trial or judgment.(7) Waiver: A party completing the parent education class, or a preapproved alternative, within 90 days prior to the filing of the pending action may request waiver of this rule. The request shall be made to the program supervisor of the parent education program, and the decision of the program supervisor may be reviewed by the court upon request of either party. (8) Failure to Complete: Court action in these cases shall not be delayed by a party's refusal, failure, or delay in registering for or completing this program or the failure to comply with the requirements of this rule, unless the non-complying party is the initiating party. If a party fails to complete the education program or fails to comply with the requirements of this rule, the court may take appropriate action against that party, including but not limited to: (1) denying the relief sought by that party; (2) considering the noncompliance when ruling on issues related to custody and parenting time; or(3) bringing contempt proceedings against that party. Further, a party that has completed the program may request entry of an order from the court to compel the non-complying party's completion of the program.Amended effective 2/1/2024.