Rule 1915.3 - Commencement Of Action. Complaint. Order(a) All actions raising custody, partial custody, or modification of an existing order for a minor child shall be commenced by the filing of a verified complaint or, in the case of a custody count in an action for divorce, a petition and a separate scheduling order as set forth in subsection (h) of this rule. The scheduling order shall be filed and processed in accordance with this rule.(b) The moving party shall proceed to the Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division with an original and two (2) copies of the complaint or petition and the separate scheduling order for an assignment of a date and a time for the Initial Custody Meeting. The Initial Custody Meeting shall be scheduled for a date and a time not later than forty-five (45) days after the filing of the complaint or petition. The Court Administrator shall present the complaint or petition to the judge to whom the case is assigned for signature and return the signed complaint or petition to the moving party, along with information about the Parenting Program. The moving party shall immediately file the complaint or petition with the Prothonotary, and provide a copy of the scheduling order to the Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division. A copy of the scheduling order will then be delivered by the moving party to Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division. The moving party shall attach copies of each to the filed, time-stamped copies of the complaint or petition and serve the defendant(s) with the complaint or petition, the Parenting Program information and a copy of the Parent Plan form.(c) The moving party shall file proof of service of the complaint or petition with the Washington County Prothonotary and provide a copy of the proof of service of the complaint or petition, the Parenting Program information, and a copy of the Parent Plan form to the Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division prior to the Initial Custody Meeting.(d) The presentation of the pleadings referred to in subdivision (a) shall be the responsibility of the moving party and if necessary, may be ex parte. The moving party shall be responsible for filing and serving the pleadings in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 1930.4. The moving party shall ensure that a minimum of seven (7) days' notice of the meeting or conference or any other appropriate proceeding is afforded to any interested parties. In the event minimum notice cannot be afforded to any interested parties, the moving party shall immediately notify the Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division.(e) All appropriate costs and fees shall be paid at the time of filing.(f) A duplicate copy of all other pleadings and documents shall be provided to the Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division.(g)Custody Education Program. As a prerequisite to court involvement, following the filing of a complaint or petition, all parties to the action are ordered to attend the mandatory Parenting Program, which has been approved, sanctioned, and authorized by the Court, prior to the Initial Custody Meeting. Failure of a party to attend the Parenting Program may result in sanctions being imposed, including, but not limited to, being prohibited from proffering evidence at the conference, or being held in contempt by the Court.(h) Form copies of the complaint, petition, and separate scheduling order referenced in subdivision (a) shall be accessible to the public in the Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division and on the website of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District at www.washingtoncourts.us.Amended effective 1/1/2022