AL SB492

Requires married couples with minor children to complete a four-hour marriage dissolution education program within 120 days before filing a petition, counterpetition, or answer in a divorce or separation action.

Program must be accompanied by a Certificate of Completion showing that the filing party (or both parties for joint petitions) has completed an approved program; respondent must certify completion within 120 days of service, with waiver available at judge's discretion.

Programs may be face-to-face or online and must include research-informed content covering constructive parenting (at least 75% of program time), legal process overview (at least 5%), and reconciliation information (at least 5%), with specific emphasis on reducing co-parental conflict and domestic violence awareness.

Each local jurisdiction must establish and maintain a list of approved programs; existing programs as of January 1, 2012 have two years after the effective date to comply with requirements or be working toward compliance by December 31, 2014.

Individuals earning less than 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines or eligible for in forma pauperis status are entitled to a fee waiver; program costs shall not exceed $100 for the four-hour course.

Effective date is January 1, 2013.