(a) In an action where a permanent parenting plan is or will be entered, each parent shall attend a parent educational seminar as soon as possible after the filing of the complaint. The seminar may be divided into sessions, which in the aggregate must not be less than four (4) hours in duration, and the minor children must be excluded from attending the seminar. The seminar must be educational in nature and not designed for individual therapy. The seminar must educate parents concerning how to protect and enhance the child’s emotional development and inform the parents regarding the legal process. The seminar must include:

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 36-6-408

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Dispute resolution: means the mediation process or alternative dispute resolution process in accordance with Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 unless the parties agree otherwise. See Tennessee Code 36-6-402
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Minor: means any person who has not attained eighteen (18) years of age. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Permanent parenting plan: means a written plan for the parenting and best interests of the child, including the allocation of parenting responsibilities and the establishment of a residential schedule, as well as an award of child support consistent with chapter 5 of this title. See Tennessee Code 36-6-402
(1) At least one (1) thirty-minute video on adverse childhood experiences created:

(A) By the department of children’s services in conjunction with the Tennessee commission on children and youth; or
(B) As part of the Building Strong Brains Tennessee public awareness campaign; and
(2) A discussion of alternative dispute resolution, marriage counseling, the judicial process, and common perpetrator attitudes and conduct involving domestic violence.
(b) The fees or costs of the educational sessions under this section, which shall be reasonable, shall be borne by the parties and may be assessed by the court as it deems equitable. Such fees may be waived for indigent persons.
(c) No court shall deny the granting of a divorce from the bonds of matrimony for failure of a party or both parties to attend the educational session.
(d) The requirement of attendance by parents at the parent educational seminar may be waived upon motion by either party and the agreement of the court upon the showing of good cause.
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