H.B. 255

1

SANCTIONS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH
2 VISITATION ORDERS
3 1997 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Steve Barth
6 AN ACT RELATING TO HUSBAND AND WIFE AND THE JUDICIAL CODE; PROVIDING
7 SANCTIONS FOR SUBSTANTIAL OR CHRONIC NONCOMPLIANCE WITH
8 VISITATION ORDERS; CREATING THE COURT-ORDERED EDUCATION COURSE ON
9 VISITATION RIGHTS; PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS THE COURT SHALL
10 CONSIDER; AMENDING THE CHILDREN'S LEGAL DEFENSE ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE
11 FUNDING FOR IMPECUNIOUS PARTICIPANTS IN COURT-ORDERED MEDIATION
12 OR EDUCATION COURSES; REPEALING THE MANDATORY MEDIATION PILOT
13 PROGRAM AND RELATED PROVISIONS; MAKING NECESSARY AMENDMENTS;
14 AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
15 This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
16 AMENDS:
17 30-3-5, as last amended by Chapter 330, Laws of Utah 1995
18 30-3-15.3, as last amended by Chapters 98 and 158, Laws of Utah 1992
19 30-3-18, as last amended by Chapter 180, Laws of Utah 1993
20 63-63a-8, as last amended by Chapters 1 and 255, Laws of Utah 1996
21 78-32-12.2, as enacted by Chapter 152, Laws of Utah 1993
22 REPEALS AND REENACTS:
23 78-32-12.1, as last amended by Chapter 152, Laws of Utah 1993
24 78-32-12.3, as enacted by Chapter 152, Laws of Utah 1993
25 REPEALS:
26 30-3-19, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
27 30-3-20, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992

1 30-3-21, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
2 30-3-22, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
3 30-3-23, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
4 30-3-24, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
5 30-3-25, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
6 30-3-26, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
7 30-3-27, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
8 30-3-28, as last amended by Chapter 260, Laws of Utah 1994
9 30-3-29, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
10 30-3-30, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
11 30-3-31, as enacted by Chapter 158, Laws of Utah 1992
12 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
13 Section 1. Section 30-3-5 is amended to read:
14 30-3-5. Disposition of property -- Maintenance and health care of parties and
15 children -- Division of debts -- Court to have continuing jurisdiction -- Custody and visitation
16 -- Determination of alimony -- Nonmeritorious petition for modification.
17 (1) When a decree of divorce is rendered, the court may include in it equitable orders
18 relating to the children, property, debts or obligations, and parties. The court shall include the
19 following in every decree of divorce:
20 (a) an order assigning responsibility for the payment of reasonable and necessary medical
21 and dental expenses of the dependent children;
22 (b) if coverage is or becomes available at a reasonable cost, an order requiring the purchase
23 and maintenance of appropriate health, hospital, and dental care insurance for the dependent
24 children;
25 (c) pursuant to Section 15-4-6.5:
26 (i) an order specifying which party is responsible for the payment of joint debts,
27 obligations, or liabilities of the parties contracted or incurred during marriage;
28 (ii) an order requiring the parties to notify respective creditors or obligees, regarding the
29 court's division of debts, obligations, or liabilities and regarding the parties' separate, current
30 addresses; and
31 (iii) provisions for the enforcement of these orders;

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1 (d) provisions for income withholding in accordance with Title 62A, Chapter 11, Parts 4
2 and 5; and
3 (e) with regard to child support orders issued or modified on or after January 1, 1994, that
4 are subject to income withholding, an order assessing against the obligor an additional $7 per
5 month check processing fee to be included in the amount withheld and paid to the Office of
6 Recovery Services within the Department of Human Services for the purposes of income
7 withholding in accordance with Title 62A, Chapter 11, Parts 4 and 5.
8 (2) The court may include, in an order determining child support, an order assigning
9 financial responsibility for all or a portion of child care expenses incurred on behalf of the
10 dependent children, necessitated by the employment or training of the custodial parent. If the court
11 determines that the circumstances are appropriate and that the dependent children would be
12 adequately cared for, it may include an order allowing the noncustodial parent to provide child care
13 for the dependent children, necessitated by the employment or training of the custodial parent.
14 (3) The court has continuing jurisdiction to make subsequent changes or new orders for
15 the custody of the children and their support, maintenance, health, and dental care, and for
16 distribution of the property and obligations for debts as is reasonable and necessary.
17 (4) (a) In determining visitation rights of parents[,] or grandparents, [and other members
18 of the immediate family,] the court shall consider the best interest of the child.
19 (b) Upon a specific finding by the court of the need for peace officer enforcement, the
20 court may include in an order establishing a visitation schedule a provision, among other things,
21 authorizing any peace officer to enforce a court ordered visitation schedule entered under this
22 chapter.
23 (5) If a petition for modification of child custody or visitation provisions of a court order
24 is made and denied, the court shall order the petitioner to pay the reasonable attorneys' fees
25 expended by the prevailing party in that action, if the court determines that the petition was
26 without merit and not asserted or defended against in good faith.
27 (6) If a petition alleges substantial or chronic noncompliance with a visitation order by a
28 parent[, a] or grandparent[, or other member of the immediate family] pursuant to Section
29 78-32-12.2 where a visitation right has been previously granted by the court, the court may award
30 to the prevailing party costs, including [actual] attorney fees and court costs incurred by the
31 prevailing party because of the other party's failure to provide or exercise court-ordered visitation.

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1 (7) (a) The court shall consider at least the following factors in determining alimony:
2 (i) the financial condition and needs of the recipient spouse;
3 (ii) the recipient's earning capacity or ability to produce income;
4 (iii) the ability of the payor spouse to provide support; and
5 (iv) the length of the marriage.
6 (b) The court may consider the fault of the parties in determining alimony.
7 (c) As a general rule, the court should look to the standard of living, existing at the time
8 of separation, in determining alimony in accordance with Subsection (a). However, the court shall
9 consider all relevant facts and equitable principles and may, in its discretion, base alimony on the
10 standard of living that existed at the time of trial. In marriages of short duration, when no children
11 have been conceived or born during the marriage, the court may consider the standard of living
12 that existed at the time of the marriage.
13 (d) The court may, under appropriate circumstances, attempt to equalize the parties'
14 respective standards of living.
15 (e) When a marriage of long duration dissolves on the threshold of a major change in the
16 income of one of the spouses due to the collective efforts of both, that change shall be considered
17 in dividing the marital property and in determining the amount of alimony. If one spouse's earning
18 capacity has been greatly enhanced through the efforts of both spouses during the marriage, the
19 court may make a compensating adjustment in dividing the marital property and awarding
20 alimony.
21 (f) In determining alimony when a marriage of short duration dissolves, and no children
22 have been conceived or born during the marriage, the court may consider restoring each party to
23 the condition which existed at the time of the marriage.
24 (g) (i) The court has continuing jurisdiction to make substantive changes and new orders
25 regarding alimony based on a substantial material change in circumstances not forseeable at the
26 time of the divorce.
27 (ii) The court may not modify alimony or issue a new order for alimony to address needs
28 of the recipient that did not exist at the time the decree was entered, unless the court finds
29 extenuating circumstances that justify that action.
30 (iii) In determining alimony, the income of any subsequent spouse of the payor may not
31 be considered, except as provided in this subsection.

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1 (A) The court may consider the subsequent spouse's financial ability to share living
2 expenses.
3 (B) The court may consider the income of a subsequent spouse if the court finds that the
4 payor's improper conduct justifies that consideration.
5 (h) Alimony may not be ordered for a duration longer than the number of years that the
6 marriage existed unless, at any time prior to termination of alimony, the court finds extenuating
7 circumstances that justify the payment of alimony for a longer period of time.
8 (8) Unless a decree of divorce specifically provides otherwise, any order of the court that
9 a party pay alimony to a former spouse automatically terminates upon the remarriage of that
10 former spouse. However, if the remarriage is annulled and found to be void ab initio, payment
11 of alimony shall resume if the party paying alimony is made a party to the action of annulment and
12 his rights are determined.
13 (9) Any order of the court that a party pay alimony to a former spouse terminates upon
14 establishment by the party paying alimony that the former spouse is cohabitating with another
15 person.
16 Section 2. Section 30-3-15.3 is amended to read:
17 30-3-15.3. Commissioners powers.
18 Commissioners shall:
19 (1) secure compliance with court orders;
20 (2) require [completion of mandatory mediation as provided in Sections 30-3-21 and
21 30-3-24] participation in mediation;
22 (3) require attendance at the mandatory [course] courses as provided in [Section] Sections
23 30-3-11.3 and 78-32-12.1;
24 (4) serve as judge pro tempore, master or referee on:
25 (a) assignment of the court; and
26 (b) with the written consent of the parties:
27 (i) orders to show cause where no contempt is alleged;
28 (ii) default divorces where the parties have had marriage counseling but there has been no
29 reconciliation;
30 (iii) uncontested actions under the Uniform Act on Paternity;
31 (iv) actions under the Uniform Civil Liability for Support Act; and

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1 (v) actions under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act; and
2 (5) represent the interest of children in divorce or annulment actions, and the parties in
3 appropriate cases.
4 Section 3. Section 30-3-18 is amended to read:
5 30-3-18. Waiting period for hearing after filing for divorce -- Exemption -- Use of
6 counseling and education services not to be construed as condonation or promotion.
7 (1) Unless the court, for good cause shown and set forth in the findings, otherwise orders,
8 no hearing for decree of divorce shall be held by the court until 90 days shall have elapsed from
9 the filing of the complaint, provided the court may make such interim orders as may be just and
10 equitable.
11 (2) The 90-day period as provided in Subsection (1) shall not apply in any case where both
12 parties have completed the mandatory educational course for divorcing parents as provided in
13 Section 30-3-11.3 [or the mediation requirement as provided in Section 30-3-21].
14 (3) The use of counseling, mediation, and education services provided under this chapter
15 may not be construed as condoning the acts that may constitute grounds for divorce on the part of
16 either spouse nor of promoting divorce.
17 Section 4. Section 63-63a-8 is amended to read:
18 63-63a-8. Children's Legal Defense Account.
19 (1) There is created a restricted account within the General Fund known as the Children's
20 Legal Defense Account.
21 (2) The purpose of the Children's Legal Defense Account is to provide for programs that
22 protect and defend the rights, safety, and quality of life of children.
23 (3) The Legislature shall appropriate money from the account for the administrative and
24 related costs of the following programs:
25 (a) implementing the Mandatory Educational Course on Children's Needs for Divorcing
26 Parents relating to the effects of divorce on children as provided in Sections 30-3-4, 30-3-7,
27 30-3-10.3, 30-3-11.3, 30-3-15.3, and 30-3-18[, and the Mediation Pilot Program - Child Custody
28 or Visitation as provided in Sections 30-3-15.3, 30-3-18, and 30-3-19 through 30-3-31];
29 (b) implementing the use of guardians ad litem as provided in Sections 30-3-5.2,
30 78-3a-912, 78-3a-318, 78-11-6, and 78-7-9; the training of guardian ad litems and volunteers as
31 provided in Section 78-3a-912; and termination of parental rights as provided in Sections

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1 78-3a-516, 78-3a-518, 78-3a-903, and Title 78, Chapter [3f] 3a, Part 4. This account may not be
2 used to supplant funding for the guardian ad litem program in the juvenile court as provided in
3 Section 78-3a-912;
4 (c) [requiring community service for violation of visitation orders or failure to pay child
5 support] implementing the court-ordered education course on visitation rights as provided in
6 Section 78-32-12.1;
7 (d) enforcing [and administering the pilot program as provided in Section 78-32-12.3
8 establishing] the sanctions for substantial or chronic noncompliance with visitation orders as
9 provided in Section 78-32-12.2; and
10 (e) implementing and administering the [Child] Expedited Visitation Enforcement Pilot
11 Program as provided in Section 30-3-38.
12 (4) The following withheld fees shall be allocated only to the Children's Legal Defense
13 Account and used only for the purposes provided in Subsections (3)(a) through [(c)] (d):
14 (a) the additional $10 fee withheld on every marriage license issued in the state of Utah
15 as provided in Section 17-5-214; and
16 (b) a fee of $2 shall be withheld from the existing civil filing fee collected on any
17 complaint, affidavit, or petition in a civil, probate, or adoption matter in every court of record.
18 (5) The Division of Finance shall allocate the monies described in Subsection (4) from the
19 General Fund to the Children's Legal Defense Account.
20 (6) Any funds in excess of $200,000 remaining in the restricted account as of June 30 of
21 any fiscal year shall lapse into the General Fund.
22 Section 5. Section 78-32-12.1 is repealed and reenacted to read:
23 78-32-12.1. Educational course on visitation rights -- Purpose -- Curriculum.
24 (1) There is established an Education Course on Visitation Rights for divorced parents or
25 grandparents, as provided in Section 30-5-2, in all judicial districts to be administered by the
26 Administrative Office of the Courts. The education course is designed to educate parents or
27 grandparents of the right to maintain a meaningful and ongoing relationship with the child through
28 the use of court-ordered visitation.
29 (2) Upon a finding that the defendant in a first petition is substantially or chronically
30 noncompliant with a visitation order as provided in Section 78-32-12.2, the court may order the
31 defendant to attend an Education Course on Visitation Rights.

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1 (3) The course shall instruct the noncompliant parent about visitation rights and:
2 (a) the importance of visitation with their child or children;
3 (b) the need for meaningful contact to ensure a continuing relationship with the child or
4 children and both parents;
5 (c) the harmful impact of conflict between parents over visitation access; and
6 (d) the importance of complying with the court order.
7 (4) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall administer the course pursuant to Title
8 63, Chapter 56, Utah Procurement Code, through private or public contracts and implement the
9 course in each of the judicial districts. The contracts shall provide for recoupment of
10 administrative expenses through the costs charged to individual parties pursuant to Subsection
11 (16).
12 (5) The Judicial Council shall appoint a committee to oversee and monitor the education
13 course on visitation rights, whose membership shall include judges, court administrators,
14 attorneys, and members of the public.
15 (6) The state court administrator shall assign the responsibility to direct the course to an
16 administrator in the Administrative Office of the Courts.
17 (7) The course administrator shall establish uniform specifications and standards for the
18 curriculum and provision of the visitation rights education course, in consultation with the
19 committee.
20 (8) The Administrative Office shall issue a request for proposals to providers of visitation
21 rights education, setting forth the uniform established specifications and standards.
22 (9) The committee shall review the proposals submitted and make recommendations for
23 award of contracts.
24 (10) The program administrator, in consultation with the state court administrator and the
25 judges in each district, shall award the contracts.
26 (11) Each party ordered to attend the course shall contact the court or the course provider
27 and register to attend the course. No further notice of the date and time of the course need be
28 provided to any party.
29 (12) A certificate of completion constitutes evidence to the court of course completion by
30 the parties. The defendant shall file a copy of the certificate to the court within 90 days of the
31 court's order to attend the course. The course provider shall complete a certificate of completion

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1 and provide the same to each party who:
2 (a) attends and completes the course;
3 (b) either pays the course fee or presents a copy of an Affidavit of Impecuniosity filed with
4 the court; and
5 (c) completes the course evaluation form.
6 (13) The course provider shall, within 72 hours of each course, provide the court with an
7 alphabetized list of each party who attended and completed the course.
8 (14) If a party does not attend the course within 45 days of having been notified of the
9 course requirement, the court may hold the party who did not timely attend in contempt or may
10 waive course attendance for good cause shown.
11 (15) The court may waive the attendance requirement at any time if it determines that
12 course attendance and completion are not necessary, feasible, or in the best interest of the parties.
13 (16) (a) Each attendee shall pay the costs of the course to the independent contractor
14 providing the course at the time and place of the course. A fee of $8 shall be collected as part of
15 the course fee paid by each attendee and deposited into the Children's Legal Defense Account as
16 provided in Section 63-63a-8.
17 (b) Each attendee who is unable to pay the costs of the course may attend the course
18 without payment upon a prima facie showing of impecuniosity as evidenced by an Affidavit of
19 Impecuniosity filed in the district court. In those situations, the independent contractor shall be
20 reimbursed for its costs from the appropriation to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the
21 Education Course on Visitation Rights.
22 (17) The appropriation from the Children's Legal Defense Account to the Administrative
23 Office of the Courts for the Education Course on Visitation Rights shall be used to pay the costs
24 of the indigent attendee who makes a showing as provided in Subsection (16)(b).
25 (18) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall adopt a program to evaluate the
26 effectiveness of the court-ordered education course on visitation rights. Progress reports shall
27 be provided annually to the Judiciary Interim Committee.
28 Section 6. Section 78-32-12.2 is amended to read:
29 78-32-12.2. Definitions -- Sanctions.
30 (1) For purposes of this section:
31 (a) "Make up visitation" means visitation which is:

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1 (i) of the same type and duration of visitation as that which was denied, including
2 visitation during weekdays, weekends, holidays, and during extended visitation periods;
3 (ii) to be made up within one year after the court has entered its order of make up
4 visitation; and
5 (iii) in the manner chosen by the aggrieved parent if it is in the best interest of the child.
6 (b) "Mediation" means court-ordered participation by the parties with a mediator to pursue
7 mediation and settlement of visitation matters.
8 (c) "Parent" means a parent or grandparent as provided in Section 30-5-2 who is subject
9 to a visitation order pursuant to a divorce decree, separate maintenance decree, or death;
10 [(b)] (d) "Petition" means a petition brought by a parent[,] or a grandparent as provided
11 in Section 30-5-2[, by other immediate family members,] or upon the court's own motion alleging
12 that a parent is not complying with a visitation order in a decree of divorce or a subsequent
13 visitation enforcement order which may be brought at different stages in the alleged pattern of
14 chronic noncompliance:
15 (i) a first petition is a petition to enforce an original order of visitation or a petition filed
16 after three years from the last visitation enforcement order;
17 (ii) a second petition is a petition filed within three years following entry of the first
18 visitation enforcement order; and
19 (iii) a third petition is a petition filed within three years following entry of the second
20 visitation enforcement order.
21 [(c)] (e) "Substantial or chronic noncompliance" means conduct which:
22 (i) substantially or repeatedly interferes with a court-ordered visitation schedule; or
23 (ii) substantially or repeatedly interferes with a parent's right to frequent, meaningful, and
24 continuing access with his child and which [substantially] impairs that parent-child relationship.
25 [(d)] (f) "Visitation enforcement order" means an order to enforce compliance with an
26 original visitation order through the use of sanctions.
27 [(2) Upon a first petition, the court shall order:]
28 [(a) if the first petition is uncontested, by default:]
29 [(i) a permanent injunction enjoining the noncompliance with the court's visitation order;]
30 [(ii) make up visitation for the aggrieved parent and child; and]
31 [(iii) participation in workshops, classes, or individual counseling to educate the parent

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1 about the importance of complying with the court order and providing the child with a continuing
2 relationship with both parents as provided in Subsection 78-32-12.1 (1)(b); or]
3 [(b) if the first petition is contested, the court shall hold a hearing to determine by a
4 preponderance of the evidence whether there has been a substantial noncompliance with the
5 visitation order.]
6 [(3)] (2) Upon a first petition and a finding of substantial or chronic noncompliance, the
7 court [shall] may order[:] the noncompliant parent to attend an Education Course on Visitation
8 Rights as provided in Section 78-32-12.1.
9 [(a) actual costs including actual attorney fees and court costs to the prevailing party;]
10 [(b) make up visitation for the aggrieved parent and child;]
11 [(c) a minimum of 10 hours of community service as provided in Subsection 78-32-12.1
12 (1) (a); and]
13 [(d) a permanent injunction enjoining the noncompliance with the court's visitation order.]
14 [(4)] (3) (a) Upon a second petition and a finding of substantial or chronic noncompliance,
15 the court may order[:] the noncompliant parent to participate in [(a)] mediation with the
16 requirement to report back to the court on the results of mediation within [30] 60 days[;].
17 (b) Each party who is unable to pay the costs of mediation may attend mediation without
18 payment upon a prima facie showing of impecuniosity as evidenced by an Affidavit of
19 Impecuniosity filed in the district court. In those instances, the mediator shall be reimbursed for
20 its costs from the Children's Legal Defense Account as provided in Subsection 63-63a-8(3).
21 [(b) participation in workshops, classes, or individual counseling to educate the parent
22 about the importance of complying with the court order and providing the child with a continuing
23 relationship with both parents as provided in Subsection 78-32-12.1 (1)(b); or]
24 [(c) a fine or jail sentence or other appropriate sanctions as provided under contempt of
25 court in Section 78-32-10.]
26 [(5)] (4) Upon a [second] third petition and a finding of substantial or chronic
27 noncompliance, the court [shall] may order[:] a temporary change of custody based upon the best
28 interest of the child. There is no requirement to show a substantial change of circumstances under
29 this Subsection (4) before the court may order the temporary change of custody.
30 [(a) if the second petition is uncontested, by default:]
31 [(i) actual costs including actual attorney fees and court costs;]

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1 [(ii) make up visitation to be provided for the aggrieved parent and child;]
2 [(iii) a minimum of 10 hours of community service as provided in Subsection
3 78-32-12.1(1)(a); and]
4 [(iv) impose a fine or jail sentence or other appropriate sanctions as provided under
5 contempt of court in Section 78-32-10; or]
6 [(b) if the second petition is contested, the court shall hold a hearing to determine by a
7 preponderance of the evidence whether there has been a substantial noncompliance with the
8 visitation orders.]
9 [(6)] (5) [Upon a finding of a substantial noncompliance, the] The court shall [order]
10 consider the following sanctions at any stage in any separate maintenance or divorce proceedings,
11 in subsequent petitions, or upon a finding of chronic noncompliance on any petition including:
12 (a) [actual] ordering the defendant to:
13 (i) pay costs including actual attorney fees and court costs to the prevailing party;
14 [(b)] (ii) provide make up visitation [to be provided] for the aggrieved party and child [at
15 twice the amount of time previously wrongfully denied and] under the same conditions as provided
16 in [Subsections 78-32-12.2(3)(a) through (c)] Subsections (1)(a) and (6);
17 [(c) a minimum of 20 hours of community service as provided in Subsection
18 78-32-12.1(1)(a);]
19 [(d)] (iii) participate in mediation with the requirement to report back to the court on the
20 results of mediation within 60 days;
21 (iv) comply with a contempt order which imposes a fine or jail sentence as provided in
22 Section 78-32-10; [and]
23 [(e) the violator to] (v) post bond or security in the amount determined by the court to
24 insure future compliance[.];
25 [(7) The court may impose additional sanctions which may include any additional
26 remedies, terms, or conditions which are consistent with the court's previous order.]
27 [(8) Upon a third petition, the court shall order:]
28 [(a) if the third petition is uncontested, by default:]
29 [(i) actual costs including actual attorney fees and court costs;]
30 [(ii) make up visitation to be provided for the aggrieved party and child at twice the
31 amount of time previously denied and under the same conditions as provided in Subsections

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1 78-32-12.2(3)(a) through (c);]
2 [(iii) a minimum of ten hours of community service as provided in Subsection
3 78-32-12.1(1)(a); and]
4 [(iv) impose a fine or jail sentence or other appropriate sanctions as provided under
5 contempt of court in Section 78-32-10; or]
6 [(b) if the third petition is contested, the court shall hold a hearing to determine by a
7 preponderance of the evidence whether there has been a substantial noncompliance with the
8 visitation orders.]
9 [(9) Upon a finding of substantial noncompliance, the court shall order:]
10 [(a) actual costs including actual attorney fees and court costs to the prevailing party;]
11 [(b) a finding that there has been a prima facie showing of a substantial change of
12 circumstances which is against the best interest of the child for purposes of modification of
13 custody and order a temporary change of custody for a duration to be determined by the court; and]
14 (vi) pay the actual costs of reimbursement for transportation, child care, or other related
15 expenses because of the other parent's noncompliance with the visitation order;
16 (vii) attend an Education Course on Visitation Rights as provided in Section 78-32-12.1;
17 and
18 (viii) comply with an order of a temporary change of custody; or
19 [(c) a] (b) finding that there has been a probable cause showing of custodial interference
20 as provided in Section 76-5-303 and [order] ordering the case to be referred to the county attorney
21 for prosecution.
22 [(10) The court may decline to issue an order with the alternative sanctions as provided
23 in Subsections 78-32-12.2(2) through (9) although the petitioner has met his burden of proof if the
24 court provides findings on the record explaining why a sanction or sanctions were not imposed.]
25 [(11)] (6) The noncustodial parent shall give the court and the custodial parent written
26 notice of his intention to exercise the make up visitation at least seven days before the proposed
27 visit if it is to be on a weekday or weekend, and at least 30 days before the proposed visit if it is
28 to be on a holiday or an extended visitation period.
29 [(12)] (7) The court shall suspend any proceedings under [Section 78-32-12.2] this section
30 if substantial allegations of child abuse or child sexual abuse are under investigation or a case is
31 pending in the courts on the allegations.

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1 [(13)] (8) The filing of any petition under this section which is found to be without merit
2 and not asserted or defended against in good faith shall be subject to sanctions as determined by
3 the court.
4 [(14) This section shall be implemented only as a pilot program in the first judicial district
5 as provided in Section 78-32-12.3.]
6 Section 7. Section 78-32-12.3 is repealed and reenacted to read:
7 78-32-12.3. Education Course on Visitation Rights for violation of visitation order.
8 (1) Upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that a parent, as defined in Section
9 78-32-12.2, has substantially or chronically refused to comply with the minimum amount of
10 visitation ordered in a decree of divorce, the court may order the parent to attend an Education
11 Course on Visitation Rights to be educated about the importance of complying with the court order
12 and of providing a child a continuing relationship with both parents.
13 (2) If a noncompliant parent is ordered to attend this court-ordered education, there is a
14 rebuttable presumption that the compliant parent be granted visitation by the court to provide child
15 care during the time the noncompliant parent is complying with the education course order.
16 (3) The person ordered to participate in court-ordered education is responsible for expenses
17 as provided in Section 78-32-12.1.
18 Section 8. Repealer.
19 This act repeals:
20 Section 30-3-19, Purpose.
21 Section 30-3-20, Definitions.
22 Section 30-3-21, When referral to mediation is required.
23 Section 30-3-22, Waiver of mandatory mediation requirement.
24 Section 30-3-23, Initial mediation session.
25 Section 30-3-24, Mediation and compliance with requirement.
26 Section 30-3-25, Prohibited issues in mediation.
27 Section 30-3-26, Creation of mandatory mediation program -- Duties of director --
28 Courts.
29 Section 30-3-27, Mediator qualifications.
30 Section 30-3-28, Mediation proceedings closed -- Information confidential -- Records
31 closed.

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1 Section 30-3-29, Mediation agreement -- Order.
2 Section 30-3-30, Appropriation to pilot program to cover costs of impecunious
3 parties.
4 Section 30-3-31, Review of pilot program.
5 Section 9. Effective date.
6 The provisions of Section 63-63a-8, and Sections 78-32-12.1, 78-32-12.2, and 78-32-12.3
7 of this act shall take effect on July 1, 1997.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-10-97 4:26 PM

A limited legal review of this bill raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

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