The Florida Senate

61.21  Parenting course authorized; fees; required attendance authorized; contempt.--

(1)  All judicial circuits in the state may approve a parenting course which shall be a course of a minimum of 4 hours designed to educate, train, and assist divorcing parents in regard to the consequences of divorce on parents and children.

(2)  All parties to a dissolution of marriage proceeding with minor children or a modification of a final judgment action involving shared parental responsibilities, custody, or visitation may be required to complete a court-approved parenting course prior to the entry by the court of a final judgment or order modifying the final judgment.

(3)  All parties required to complete a parenting course shall file proof of compliance with the court prior to the entry of the final judgment or order modifying the final judgment.

(4)  A reasonable fee may be charged to each parent attending the course.

(5)  Information obtained or statements made by the parties at any educational session required under this statute shall not be considered in the adjudication of a pending or subsequent action, nor shall any report resulting from such educational session become part of the record of the case unless the parties have stipulated in writing to the contrary.

(6)  The court may hold any parent who fails to attend a required parenting course in contempt or that parent may be denied shared parental responsibility or visitation or otherwise sanctioned as the court deems appropriate.

(7)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the parties to a dissolution of marriage to attend a court-approved parenting course together.

History.--s. 1, ch. 94-185.