40-4-226. Court-ordered educational program on effects of dissolution of marriage on children. (1) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage involving a minor child or in a custody modification proceeding involving a minor child, a court shall inform the parties, excluding the minor child, of available educational programs concerning the effects of dissolution of marriage on children and, if the court finds that it would be in the best interest of the minor child, may order the parties to attend a program. The program may be divided into sessions. The program must be educational in nature and may not be designed for individual therapy.
     (2) Any facts presented at an educational session resulting from a referral under this section may not be considered in a dissolution of a marriage or a custody modification proceeding, nor may a report resulting from an educational session become part of the record of the dissolution or proceeding unless the parties have stipulated in writing to the contrary.
     (3) The fees or costs of an educational session under this section must be borne by the parties and may be assessed by the court in an equitable manner.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 201, L. 1995.