HB180 Summary

• Requires married couples with minor children (16 years and under) to complete a four-hour marriage dissolution education program before filing divorce or separation petitions, with a 120-day completion window before filing.

• Circuit court clerks cannot accept divorce pleadings unless accompanied by a certificate of program completion; judges retain discretion to waive the requirement if a party submits a "Certificate of Impossibility."

• Programs may be delivered face-to-face or online and must be supervised by a professional family life educator, covering constructive parenting (75% of program time), legal process information (5%), and reconciliation options (5%).

• Participants pay up to $75 per program; individuals below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines or eligible for in forma pauperis status receive fee waivers, with approved programs determining eligibility.

• Effective January 1, 2014, for all divorce and separation proceedings initiated on or after the effective date; existing parent education providers as of January 1, 2013, have two years to comply with new standards.