SLR 12-8.081: MANDATORY PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM

(1) The court has established a mandatory parent education class as authorized by ORS 3.425 for each person named as a party in the following types of proceedings: (a) Annulment or dissolution of marriage, where there is/are minor child/ren of the marriage; (b) Legal separation actions, where there is/are minor child/ren of the marriage; (c) Petitions to establish custody or parenting time, including paternity; and Twelfth Judicial District – Polk County – February 1, 2026 Page | 10 (d) Post-Judgment litigation involving custody or parenting time. (2) All parties, where the interest of a child under the age of 18 years is involved, shall successfully complete the Parent Education Course offered by the court designated providers or a preapproved alternative parent education program. Parties shall be automatically registered for the program by the court’s mediation clerk. Parties desiring to attend an alternate parent education program shall request the court’s approval within fifteen (15) days of receiving notice of the appearance date for the parent education class. (3) Each person who successfully completes a preapproved alternative program, shall obtain a certificate of completion and shall file the certificate of completion with the Trial Court Administrator. All parties shall complete a parent education course and file the certificate of completion before the judgment will be signed and entered. (4) The court may exempt one or both parties from the program if, after review of the party’s request, the court determines there is good cause to waive the requirement. The request must be filed within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the program notice from the court. (5) Failure to complete the program in a timely manner may be considered by the court in making its ruling on issues which are in dispute. (6) A party who has completed the program shall have the right to: (a) Request that the pleadings of a party be stricken if that party has not completed the program in a timely manner without good cause. (b) Request entry of an order from the court to compel the non-complying party’s completion of the program if good cause is not shown as to why that party has not completed the program in a timely manner. (c) Request that the court enter an award of attorney fees in favor of the complying party who utilizes this option to force the non-complying party’s compliance with this rule. (7) A party need not complete the Parent Education Course in a modification proceeding if they have completed the course in the underlying case within the previous five (5) years, unless otherwise ordered by the court. CHAPTER 9 Probate and Adoption Proceedings