This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 518.1751, to establish regulations regarding the use of parenting consultants in family court cases. It introduces new qualifications for individuals serving as parenting consultants, requiring them to meet the standards of either a parenting time expeditor or a licensed marriage and family therapist. The bill defines a parenting consultant as a neutral third party hired to assist in resolving parenting time disputes and clarifies that they cannot modify custody orders or alter the percentage of parenting time awarded. Additionally, it allows any party to discharge a parenting consultant with written notice, which must also be filed with the court.

Furthermore, the bill includes a new subdivision that specifies the non-binding nature of decisions made by parenting consultants. It states that the court is not obligated to adhere to these decisions and that any evidence or recommendations from a parenting consultant are inadmissible in court proceedings related to custody and parenting time. This aims to ensure that the role of parenting consultants remains advisory rather than authoritative in legal matters concerning child custody.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 518.1751