SENATE WOMEN'S ISSUES, CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE, Nos. 1417 and 1497

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 23, 1997

      The Senate Women's Issues, Children and Family Services Committee favorably reports a Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill Nos. 1417 and 1497.

      This Senate Committee Substitute would establish the "Parents Education Program," a mandatory education program for all parties filing an action for divorce, administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The program would be designed to assist and advise parents considering divorce, separated parents and divorced parents on issues concerning divorce, separation and custody and to provide the parties with a better understanding of the legal process, costs and financial responsibilities both parties would most likely face during the divorce process. The substitute would require each party to complete the program prior to entry of judgment. Failure of a party to participate in the program would be considered as a factor by the court in making any custody and visitation determinations.

      The substitute would also authorize the creation of a temporary nine member advisory committee, consisting of professionals in the area of divorce. The committee would be required to develop a specific curriculum, determine the program length, establish guidelines and qualifications for the program moderators and develop any other necessary program requirements. The committee would be required to report its findings to the Administrative Office of the Courts which in turn would be required to use these recommendations in developing the mandatory education program.

      This substitute embodies recommendation number 2 of the report of the Commission to Study the Law of Divorce, issued April 18, 1995.