MN HF5072

Parenting consultants must meet qualifications of either a parenting time expeditor (under subdivision 2c) or a marriage and family therapist (under section 148B.33, subdivision 1)

Parenting consultants are third-party neutrals hired by parties to resolve parenting time disputes and conflicts arising from implementing custody and parenting time court orders, but may not modify custody orders or change parenting time percentages

Any party may discharge a parenting consultant by providing written notice to the consultant, court, and all parties; the court may also discharge a consultant when not serving the best interest of the child

Decisions, determinations, evidence, evaluations, and recommendations of parenting consultants are not binding on parties and must be treated as inadmissible in court proceedings

Parties retain the right to voluntarily agree to submit parenting time disputes to neutral third parties or resolve disputes on a voluntary basis outside of this framework