§ 36-6-405. Parent educational seminar
 (a) In an action for absolute divorce, divorce from bed and board, annulment, or separate maintenance involving minor children, or in a post-judgment proceeding involving minor children, in which the allocation of parenting responsibilities or the establishment of schedules or both are in dispute, each parent shall attend a parent educational seminar concerning how to protect and enhance the child's emotional development and informing the parents regarding the legal process.  The program may be divided into sessions, which in the aggregate shall not be less than four (4) hours in duration.  The program shall be educational in nature and not designed for individual therapy.  The minor children shall be excluded from attending these sessions.  This requirement may be waived upon motion by either party and the agreement of the court upon the showing of good cause for such relief.

 (b) The fees or costs of the educational sessions under this section, which shall be reasonable, shall be borne by the parties and may be assessed by the court as it deems equitable.  Such fees may be waived for indigent persons.

 (c) No court shall deny the granting of a divorce from the bonds of matrimony for failure of a party or both parties to attend the educational session.

Added by 1997 Pub.Acts, c. 557, § 1, eff. July 1, 1997.