2018 -- H 7983

========

LC005168

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- DIVORCE AND SEPARATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Barros, Shanley, Maldonado, Ranglin-Vassell, and
Tobon

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2018

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative findings.

     (a) The general assembly finds that divorce can be a profoundly stressful transition,

especially when children are involved and there are disputes regarding visitation, child support

and other related issues, regardless of whether the parties involved are married.

     (b) Parental cooperation and constructive communication during and after divorce and/or

separation parents with children help reduce the stress between the parties and family units,

including the children of the divorcing and/or separating parents.

     (c) The absence of parental communication can lead to conflict between the divorcing

and/or separating parties and parental alienation, both of which are detrimental to the well-being

and development of the children.

     (d) Education programming offers help and guidance on parenting effectively through

and after divorce/separation and can and will benefit the children of divorcing/separating parents.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 15-5 of the General Laws entitled "Divorce and Separation" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     15-5-30. Educational programs -- Required.

     (a) The chief judge of the Rhode Island family court shall institute a pilot classroom

program in any county which they choose, for divorcing parents and any case involving

visitation, custody, or child support for minor children.

     (b) The program shall be expanded to the remaining counties over a period of eighteen

(18) months.

     (c) The chief judge shall appoint a committee of seven (7) individuals, four (4) of whom

shall be attorneys with at least ten (10) years of experience in the practice of divorce, visitation

and custody law and three (3) of whom shall be certified family therapists/counselors with

experience in marital and family counseling. Members of the committee shall serve without

compensation, but shall be reimbursed for the reasonable expenses incurred while engaged in the

performance of their duties as approved by the chief judge of the family court.

     (d) The committee shall establish standards for a curriculum, legal requirements and a fee

structure for the program and shall also approve vendors and/or providers of such programs.

     (e) The program shall be mandatory in all cases involving divorce or separating parties

where there are children involved.

     (f) The classroom programs shall educate the parents on the effects of divorce/separation

on children as well as on the steps parents can take to minimize the stress of this transition on the

children.

     15-5-31. Appropriations.

     The chief judge of the family court may, subject to appropriation, appoint such staff and

make such expenditures as have been authorized and shall be necessary to implement the program

established pursuant to § 15-5-3.

     15-5-32. Reporting requirements.

     The chief judge of the family court shall file a report with the speaker of the house of

representatives and the president of the senate on July 1 of each year, on the progress of the

programs and evaluates the success of the programs adopted in furtherance of the program

established pursuant to § 15-5-30.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005168

========

LC005168 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO DOMESTIC RELATIONS -- DIVORCE AND SEPARATION

***

     This act would authorize the chief judge of the family court to establish a program that

would require that any divorcing or separating parties with children participate in counseling and

educational programs to assist the children’s transition through the proceedings.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005168

========

LC005168 - Page 3 of 3