Rule 8.037 - PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM(1) The following cases are subject to this rule:(a) annulment of dissolution of marriage actions;(b) legal separation actions;(c) petitions to establish paternity, custody or parenting time;(d) post-judgment litigation involving changes in custody or parenting time;(e) post-judgment litigation involving changes in custody or parenting time in which the parties have not previously completed a program as required by this rule.(2) All parents of a child under the age of 18 years involved in a case described under subsection (1), above, shall complete successfully the education for divorcing parents program offered by the Division of Family Resolution Services or a Family Resolution Services pre-approved alternate education program.(a) Parties shall register for the program or make application for approval of an alternate program within 15 days of receiving notice of this education requirement.(b) All parties shall complete the program before the earlier of any hearing on a custody or parenting time issue or entry of a judgment. Excepted from this deadline are hearings regarding emergency orders under ORS 107.097(3) and 107.139, hearings on parenting time enforcement under ORS 107.434(1), and prejudgment protective orders of restraint under ORS 107.097(2). In these cases, the class must be completed prior to entry of judgment unless the court orders an earlier completion date. On post-judgment status quo orders under ORS 107.138, the movant must register for the class prior to the hearing, and complete it if possible prior to the hearing, if the movant did not attend the class prior to judgment.(c) Parties who have successfully completed the parent education program in this county are not required to repeat this program in order to seek modification of the judgment or to pursue relief in a different case. Parties in this situation, however, must file a certificate in the later proceeding informing the court that the requirement was completed at an earlier time and specifying that date and case number.(3) Notice and instructions to the moving party of this requirement will be provided by the Trial Court Administrator at the time the initial pleadings are filed. The moving party shall serve a copy of such notice on respondent along with the summons and pleadings. The moving party's return of service on the responding party shall indicate service of the notice with the summons and pleadings. Information on the parenting education class can be located on the following website of the Multnomah County Department of Family Resolution Services: https://multco.us/dcj/fcs.
(4) The fee for the court-offered program may be waived or deferred if the party has obtained a waiver or deferral of fees in the case in chief.(5) Each party who successfully completes the court's program or a Family Resolution Services pre-approved alternate program, shall submit a certificate of completion to the judge at trial or with documents resolving the matter.(6) Upon a showing of good cause, a party may request a waiver of the requirements of this rule. The request must be made by motion, supported by affidavit, and filed within 15 days of receipt of the Trial Court Administrator's notice. (a) If good cause is found, the court may require the party excused to view video materials having the same or similar information.(b) The fact that one party is relieved from the requirements of this rule, does not form a basis for excusing the other party.(7) 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 this rule, unless the noncomplying party is the moving party. Upon the moving party's noncompliance, the court may take appropriate action including but not limited to deeming the matter not ready for hearing, denying the relief sought by that party, or proceedings for contempt.Multnomah Supp. L. R. 8.037
Amended effective 2/1/2024.