Bill > A06570

This bill establishes a mandatory "parent education and awareness program" designed to help divorced, divorcing, or separated parents understand how to minimize conflict and support their children during family transitions. The program will be required for parents involved in contested court actions related to custody, visitation, divorce, or separation that affect children under 18 years old. Parents will be ordered by the court to attend a certified program that covers topics such as understanding parent-child interactions, how children react to divorce, communication strategies, and methods for helping children adjust to new family structures. The program will be conducted by providers certified by the Office of Court Administration, who may charge a reasonable fee. To protect participants, all communications during the program will be confidential and cannot be used as evidence in legal proceedings. Courts have discretion to waive program attendance in cases involving domestic violence, and parents who fail to attend without good cause may face potential legal consequences like cost sanctions or adverse inferences in their case. The bill aims to reduce family conflict and help parents better support their children during challenging transitions.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6570