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SALT LAKE CITY — With a 41-28 vote, the House passed a bill that would require divorcing parents take a course earlier in the divorce process.
HB323 would ensure the already required divorce course is taken near the beginning of the legal process so it’s more useful. The course covers the divorce process and presents reasonable alternatives.
“After filing for divorce, the court may not hear temporary orders from either of the parties until they complete the course. It treats both parties equally and fairly,” said bill sponsor Rep. Jim Nielson, R-Bountiful.
The bill provides an exception for emergency orders to be made without course completion. It also allows for the course to be taken online or via video in order to facilitate course completion in remote areas.
“The idea is to get the course to happen near the time the divorce is filed so it has a chance of being useful,” Nielson said.
