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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 22-1965

THE COURTS

Title 255—LOCAL COURT RULES

DAUPHIN COUNTY

Promulgation of Local Rules; No. 1793S1989

[52 Pa.B. 7816]
[Saturday, December 17, 2022]

Order

And Now, this 5th day of December 2022, Dauphin County Local Rules of Civil Procedure 1915.3, 1915.3.1, 1915.3.2, 1915.4-2, 1915.4-4, 1915.5, 1915.7, 1915.17, and 1930 are amended as follows and Dauphin County Local Rules of Civil Procedure 1915.8, 1915.15(c), and 1931 are rescinded.

Rule 1915.3. Custody Actions.

 (a) Commencement of Custody Actions

 1. A custody action shall be commenced by the filing of an original and one copy of either a Custody Complaint or a Divorce Complaint or Counterclaim that contains a custody count with the Prothonotary in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 1915.3.

 2. In addition to the filing fees assessed for the filing of complaints, an additional administrative fee in the amount of $150.00 shall be paid to the Prothonotary simultaneously with the filing of the Custody action.

 (b) A Custody Action shall include the following attachments:

[1. A Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order in accordance with Local Rule 1915.15(c).

2. Prior Court Involvement Statement in accordance with Local Rule 1931. This form is available at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center

3.] 1. A Criminal or Abuse History Verification in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 1915.3-2. This form is available [at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

[4.] 2. Self-Represented Party Entry of Appearance, if not represented by legal counsel, in accordance with Local Rule 1930.8. This form is available [at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

3. The Confidential Information Form.

 (c) The Prothonotary shall promptly forward the original Custody Complaint with the attachments listed above to the Court Administrator's Office for assignment to a Custody Conference Officer [and scheduling of the Seminar].

[(d) The Court Administrator's Office will contact a Custody Conference Officer to establish the date, time and location of the Custody Conference which will generally be scheduled after the dates for the parties' attendance at the mandatory four hour educational seminar (Seminar for Families in Change and Conflict) in accordance with Local Rule 1930.

(e) The Court Administrator's Office will insert the assigned dates, times and location on the Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order.

(f) The Court Administrator's Office shall file the Order with the Prothonotary and promptly notify the Plaintiff(s) or their legal counsel, if represented, that the Custody action, attachments, Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order are ready to pick up for service on the other parties in accordance with the applicable rules of civil procedure.

(g) Plaintiff(s) or their legal counsel, if represented, shall promptly file a Certificate of Service with the Prothonotary verifying that they have served the Complaint, attachments and Order on all parties before the date of the scheduled Seminars and Custody Conference.

(h)] (d)If the parties do not reach an agreement at the Custody Conference (see Local Rule 1915.4-2), the Conference Officer may recommend an Interim Order and the case will be assigned to a Family Court Judge [for hearing].

[(i)] (e)As a general rule, if a Judge has handled a contested family law case for that family, the matter will be assigned to that Judge.

Rule [1915.3.1] 1915.15. Petition for Modification of a Custody Order.

 (a) An original and one copy of a Petition for Modification of a Custody Order shall be filed with the Prothonotary together with the administrative fee of $150.00.

 (b) A Petition for Modification of a Custody Order shall include the following attachments:

[1. A Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order in accordance with Local Rule 1915.15(c).

2. Prior Court Involvement Statement in accordance with Local Rule 1931. This form is available at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center.

3.] 1. A Criminal or Abuse History Verification in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 1915.3-2. This form is available [at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

[4.] 2. Self-Represented Party Entry of Appearance, if not represented by legal counsel, in accordance with Local Rule 1930.8. This form is available [at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

[5.] 3. A copy of the most recent Custody Order.

4. The Confidential Information Form.

 (c) The Prothonotary shall promptly forward the original Petition for Modification of a Custody Order with the attachments listed above to the Court Administrator's Office for assignment to a Custody Conference Officer [and scheduling of the Seminar].

[(d) The Court Administrator's Office shall contact a Custody Conference Officer to establish the date, time and location of the Custody Conference which will generally be scheduled after the dates for the parties' attendance at the mandatory four hour educational seminar (Seminar for Families in Change and Conflict) in accordance with Local Rule 1930. Attendance at the Seminar is not required if the parties have attended the Seminar within the last twelve (12) months unless ordered by the Court.

(e) The Court Administrator's Office will insert the dates, times and location on the Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order.

(f) The Court Administrator's Office shall file the Order with the Prothonotary and promptly notify the Petitioner(s) or their legal counsel, if represented, that the Petition for Modification, attachments and Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order are ready for service on the other parties in accordance with the applicable rules of civil procedure.

(g) The Petitioner or their legal counsel, if represented, shall promptly thereafter file a Certificate of Service verifying that they have served the Petition, attachments and Order on all parties with the Prothonotary before the date of the scheduled Seminars and Custody Conference.

(h)] (d) If the parties do not reach an agreement at the Custody Conference (see Local Rule 1915.4-2), the Conference Officer may recommend an Interim Order and the case will be assigned to a Family Court Judge [for hearing].

[(i)] (e) As a general rule, if a Family Court Judge has handled a contested family law case for that family, the matter will be assigned to that Judge.

Rule [1915.3.2] 1915.12. Petition for Contempt of Custody Orders, Custody Agreement or Parenting Plan.

 (a) An original and one copy of a Petition for Contempt shall be filed with the Prothonotary together with the administrative fee of $150.00.

 (b) A Petition for Contempt shall include the following:

[1. Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order in accordance with Local Rule 1915.15(c).

2. Prior Court Involvement Statement in accordance with Local Rule 1931. This is available at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center

3] 1. A Criminal or Abuse History Verification in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 1915.3-2. This is available [at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

[4.] 2. Self-Represented Party Entry of Appearance if not represented by legal counsel in accordance with Local Rule 1930.8. This is available [at www. dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

[5.] 3. Copy of the most recent Custody Order. [, Custody Agreement or Parenting Plan].

4. The Confidential Information Form.

 (c) The Prothonotary shall promptly forward the original Petition for Contempt with the attachments listed above to the Court Administrator's Office for assignment to a Custody Conference Officer.

[(d) The Court Administrator's Office shall contact a Custody Conference Officer to establish the date, time and location of the Custody Conference.

(e) The Court Administrator's Office will insert the assigned dates, times and location on the Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order.

(f) The Court Administrator's Office shall file the Order with the Prothonotary and promptly notify the Petitioner or their legal counsel, if represented, that the docketed Petition for Contempt, attachments and Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order are ready for service on all other parties promptly in accordance with the applicable rules of civil procedure.

(g) The Petitioner or their counsel, if represented, shall thereafter promptly file a Certificate of Service verifying that they have served the Petition, attachments and Order on all parties with the Prothonotary before the date of the scheduled Custody Conference.

(h)] (d) If the parties do not reach an agreement at the Custody Conference (see Local Rule 1915.4-2), the Conference Officer may recommend an Interim Order and the case will be assigned to a Family Court Judge [for hearing].

[(i)] (e) As a general rule, if a Judge has handled a contested family law case for that family, the matter will be assigned to that Judge.

Rule 1915.4-2. Custody Conference Officers.

 (a) Custody Conference Officers shall be appointed by the Court to meet with the parties and their legal counsel in a custody action to conciliate the matter, attempt to resolve issues and reach an agreed Parenting Plan/Custody Order and/or if this cannot be accomplished, to define and narrow the issues to be heard by a Judge.

 (b) The compensation of Custody Conference Officers shall be set by order of court by the President Judge.

 (c) Custody Conference Officers—Not Witnesses

 1. To facilitate the conference process and encourage frank, open and meaningful exchanges between the parties and their respective counsel, statements made by the parties, or their witnesses, shall not be admissible as evidence in a Custody Trial before the Court.

 2. The Custody Conference Officer shall not be a witness for or against any party in a Custody Trial before the Court or in any other proceeding whatsoever absent Court Order.

 (d) Agreement of Parties at Conciliation Conference.

 (1) If the parties are able to reach an agreement during the Custody Conference, the Custody Conference Officer shall prepare a proposed Parenting Plan and Custody Order memorializing the agreement.

[(2) At the conclusion of the Conference, even if the parties have reached an agreement, if any of the parties have not attended the Seminar within the past twelve (12) months, the Custody Conference Officer shall serve them with another Order setting forth the new dates for their attendance and direct that they file their Certificates of Completion of the Seminar with the Prothonotary following which the Court will sign their Parenting Plan/Custody Order.

(3) The Custody Conference Officer may also recommend that adults who have a strong role in the parenting of the child(ren) should attend the Seminar.

(4)] (2) The Proposed Parenting Plan and Order shall be submitted to a Family Court Judge. If a Family Court Judge has previously handled any of the parties' prior contested family law matters, it will be submitted to that Judge.

[(5)] (3) If approved and signed by the Court, the Court Administrator's Office shall file the Parenting Plan/Custody Order [shall be filed by the Court Administrator's Office] with the Prothonotary and [copies shall be mailed] mail copies to all parties [by the Court Administrator's Office].

 (e) No Agreement

 1. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement during the Custody Conference, the Custody Conference Officer shall prepare a Conference Summary Report for the Court which shall include the following:

 (a) All relevant information gathered by the Custody Conference Officer during the conference.

 (b) A summary of the contested issues to be decided by the Court.

[(c) Whether or not the parties have filed the required attachments pursuant to Local Rule 1915.3(b) and if not, the dates within which the parties have to comply and attach a recommended order providing the due date for the following:

(1) Seminar Attendance Certificates;

(2) Prior Court Involvement Statement;

(3) Criminal History and Abuse Verification;

(4) Proposed Parenting Plan;

(5) Self-Represented Party Entry of Appearance if not represented by legal counsel.

(d)] (c) List any criminal or abuse history on the parties' Criminal History and Abuse Verification warranting the Court to immediately order an Evaluation pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5329 or § 5330.

[(e)] (d) Summarize any mental health or drug or alcohol problems raised at the Conference and recommend whether the Court should order an evaluation pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1915.8.

[(f) Any recommendation that the court order the parties to re-attend the Seminar, even if they have attended the Seminar within twelve (12) months of the Conference.

(g) Any recommendation that adults who reside in the household or have a strong role in the parenting of the child(ren) should attend the Seminar

(h)] (e) Any agreed Interim Parenting Plan/Custody Order.

[(i)] (f) A list of the names and relationships of all persons who reside in each parties' household.

[(j)] (g) Any reports from appropriate agencies/experts.

[(k)] (h) Whether independent counsel should be appointed for the child(ren).

[(l)] (i) The present status of the custody of the child(ren).

[(m)] (j) Any existing Parenting Plan/Custody Order.

 2. The Court Administrator's Office shall file the Conference Summary Report with the Prothonotary and [copies shall be mailed] mail copies to all parties [by the Court Administrator's Office].

 3. The Court Administrator's Office shall promptly forward the Conference Summary Report and file to the assigned [judge] Family Court Judge.

[4. If the parties do not reach an agreement at the Custody Conference, the case will be assigned to a Family Court Judge.

5.] 4. As a general rule, if a Judge has handled a contested family law case for that family, the matter will be assigned to that Judge.

Rule 1915.4-4. Pre-Trial Conferences and Trial.

 (a) No later than five (5) days prior to the Pre-Trial Conference with a Judge, all parties [must] shall file a Pre-Trial Statement and serve copies on all other parties or their legal counsel. The Pre-Trial Statement must include the following:

 (1) Brief summary of the case including the names and dates of birth of the child(ren) at issue and the current custody arrangement;

 (2) Statement of issues expected to be raised at Trial;

 (3) Admissions from pleadings to be made part of the record;

 (4) Stipulations of parties;

 (5) Statements of objections or unusual evidentiary problems expected to arise at trial;

 (6) Statement of settlement prospects;

 (7) Estimated time needed for Trial;

 (8) Name and address of each expert intended to be called at trial as a witness or a request that an expert custody evaluator or other expert witness be appointed by the Court;

 (9) Name and address of each witness intended to be present at Trial and the relationship of the witness to the parties and child(ren);

 (10) List of proposed exhibits intended to be offered at Trial;

 (11) Proposed Parenting Plan in accordance with the forms found at www.dauphincounty.org/government/ court-departments/self-help;

 (12) Updated Criminal or Abuse History Verification of other parties or persons living in the residence;

 (13) Information about Criminal and Abuse History of other parties or persons living in the residence;

 (14) Certificate of Completion of the Seminar if not previously filed;

 (15) Any other relevant matter.

 (b) No later than five (5) days prior to a Custody Trial before a Judge, the parties shall file an updated Pre-Trial Statement and serve copies on all other parties or their legal counsel which shall include the items listed above and any additional items as directed by the Judge.

1915.5. Question of Jurisdiction or Venue. No Responsive Pleading Required. Counterclaim.

[(a)]An original and one copy of Preliminary Objections raising a question of jurisdiction or venue shall be filed with the Prothonotary. [Preliminary Objections to the existence or exercise of jurisdiction or venue in any custody action shall be assigned to the judge who is assigned to oversee custody matters or to the judge who has handled the case on a previous assignment] The Prothonotary shall forward the Preliminary Objections to the Court Administrator's Office for assignment to a Family Court Judge.

[(b) Counterclaims or cross-claims shall, where possible, be filed prior to the conference.]

1915.7. Agreements.

 (a) Agreements filed contemporaneously with the custody complaint:

 1. When the parties reach an agreement prior to the filing of the custody complaint, either party shall file the original and one copy of the custody complaint with the Prothonotary and bring the original signed custody agreement to the Court Administrator's Office for assignment to a Family Court Judge. The agreement shall not be filed with the Prothonotary at the same time that the custody complaint is filed. The agreement will be filed with the Prothonotary as an attachment to the Court Order.

 2. The agreement shall be signed by all parties and the signatures shall be witnessed or notarized unless the agreement is reached before the Custody Conference Officer or the Court.

 3. The agreement shall contain a proposed order of court with a distribution legend.

 4. An administrative fee of $150.00 shall be paid to the Prothonotary in accordance with Rule 1915.3(a) or (b).

 5. Agreements shall contain a paragraph regarding the parties' responsibilities if one party seeks permission to relocate when such relocation will significantly impair the ability of a non-relocating party to exercise his or her custodial rights. The agreement shall contain the language and exhibit used by the Court posted [at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

 (b) Agreements to modify existing custody orders:

 1. When the parties agree to modify an existing custody order, the original agreement and proposed order shall be taken to the Court Administrator's Office for assignment to a Family Court Judge. The agreement shall not be filed with the Prothonotary but will be filed as an attachment to the Court Order. A Petition for Modification of a Custody Order should not be filed. There shall be no administrative fee paid to the Prothonotary for the modification of an existing custody order when no Petition for Modification of a Custody Order has been filed.

 2. The agreement shall be signed by all parties and the signatures shall be witnessed or notarized.

 3. The agreement shall contain a proposed order of court with a distribution legend.

 4. Agreements shall contain a paragraph regarding the parties' responsibilities if one party seeks permission to relocate when such relocation will significantly impair the ability of a non-relocating party to exercise his or her custodial rights. The agreement shall contain the language and exhibit used by the Court posted [at www.dauphincounty.org/government/ Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

 (c) Agreements reached after the complaint or petition for modification of a custody order is assigned to a Custody Conference Officer:

 1. If at any time prior to the Custody Conference the parties are able to agree upon custody, the parties shall take the original signed agreement to the Court Administrator's Office for assignment to a Family Court Judge. The custody agreement shall not be filed with the Prothonotary but will be filed as an attachment to the Court Order. The agreement shall be signed by all parties and the signatures shall be witnessed or notarized. The agreement shall contain a proposed order of court with a distribution legend.

 2. Agreements shall contain a paragraph regarding the parties' responsibilities if one party seeks permission to relocate when such relocation will significantly impair the ability of a non-relocating party to exercise his or her custodial rights. The agreement shall contain the language and exhibit used by the Court posted [at www.dauphincounty.org/government/ Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

 (d) Agreements reached after a custody matter has been assigned to a judge:

 1. If at any time prior to a conference or hearing before the assigned judge an agreement is reached regarding custody, the parties shall take the original signed agreement to the Court Administrator's Office for assignment to the assigned Family Court Judge. The agreement shall not be filed with the Prothonotary but will be filed as an attachment to the Court order. The agreement shall be signed by all parties and the signatures shall be witnessed or notarized. Upon presentation of the agreement and consent order, the Court may, in its discretion, enter an order without taking testimony.

 2. The parties or children need not be present at a scheduled pretrial conference or hearing before a judge when an agreement has been reached prior to the conference or hearing unless the Court so directs.

 3. Agreements shall contain a paragraph regarding the parties' responsibilities if one party seeks permission to relocate when such relocation will significantly impair the ability of a non-relocating party to exercise his or her custodial rights. The agreement shall contain the language and exhibit used by the Court posted [at www.dauphincounty.org/government/ Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

[1915.8. Physical or Mental Examination of Persons.

(a) The Conference Officer shall maintain and, on request, provide counsel and the parties with a list of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and the like who are available for consultation, evaluation, and testimony in custody matters.

(b) Reserved.

(c) In the event that either psychological studies or home studies become necessary to a proper disposition of the cause, the cost of such studies may be assessed against the parties.]

[Rule 1915.15(c). Educational Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order—Custody Complaint, Custody Count In Divorce Complaint or Petition for Modification or Petition for Contempt.

In addition to the information required by Pa.R.C.P. 1915.15(a) or 1915.15(b), each Custody Complaint, Petition for Modification, Petition for Contempt, or custody count in a Divorce action relating to child custody shall include an Educational Seminar Attendance and Custody Conference Scheduling Order in substantially the following form:

: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS         
:DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA        
Plaintiff :
: CIVIL ACTION                      
:CUSTODY                         
:
Defendant : NO.                          

EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR AND CUSTODY CONFERENCE SCHEDULING ORDER

AND NOW, upon consideration of the attached Complaint, Petition for Modification or Petition for Contempt of a Custody Order, it is hereby ordered that the parties and their respective counsel appear before Custody Conference Officer ______ on ______ , 20____ at _____ ____ M, Dauphin County Courthouse, 3rd Floor, 101 Market Street, Suite 300, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for a Custody Conference.

At such Conference, an effort will be made to conciliate and resolve the issues in dispute, or if this cannot be accomplished, to define and narrow the issues to be heard by the Court and to recommend an interim order pending pretrial/trial. Failure to appear may also result in an interim order being entered.

Children should not attend the conference unless requested by the Custody Conference Officer.

All parties are ORDERED to attend a four hour educational seminar (Seminar for Families in Change and Conflict). File with the Prothonotary and bring with you to the Custody Conference your Seminar Certificate of Attendance you will receive at the Seminar. The Plaintiff is scheduled to attend on ______ at _____ ____ M and the Defendant is scheduled to attend on ______ at _____ ____ M. Any requests for rescheduling must be directed to the provider of the Seminar and you will be required to attend the next available Seminar. (See attached information sheet regarding the Seminar).

FAILURE TO ATTEND AND COMPLETE THE SEMINAR WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COURT AND MAY RESULT IN THE FINDING OF CONTEMPT OF COURT PUNISHABLE BY FINE AND OTHER APPROPRIATE SANCTIONS.

IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AT THE CUSTODY CONFERENCE WITHOUT PROPER CAUSE SHOWN, THE CUSTODY CONFERENCE OFFICER SHALL REFER THE MATTER TO THE COURT FOR A CONTEMPT HEARING WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN INTERIM CUSTODY ORDER, THE IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS INCLUDING FINES, ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS.

You must complete and file with the Prothonotary a Criminal or Abuse History Verification regarding you and anyone living in your household on or before  ______ . The Criminal or Abuse History Verification is attached and is also available at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center.

You must mail a copy of your Criminal or Abuse History Verification to all other parties by _________________ .

No party may change the child(ren)'s residence which significantly impairs the ability of the other party to exercise custodial rights without first complying with all of the applicable provisions of 23 Pa.C.S. § 5337 and Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.17 regarding relocation.

If any party to this custody action is incarcerated at any stage of the proceedings, the Custody Conference Officer or Judge will make reasonable efforts to arrange for the incarcerated party to participate by telephone or video conference. If you, as an incarcerated party, do not think such arrangements have been made, please contact the Court Administrator's office at (717) 780-6624 or by mail at 3rd floor, Dauphin County Courthouse, 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

If any party needs an interpreter at either the custody conference or trial, please contact the Court Administrator's office at (717) 780-6640 or email interpreterrequest@dauphinc.org as soon as possible. It takes a minimum of five days to schedule an interpreter and failure to make a timely request could delay the proceedings.

FOR THE COURT:

Date ______
By _________________

Custody Conference Officer

YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS ORDER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER AND WANT A LAWYER TO REPRESENT YOU, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT MIDPENN LEGAL SERVICES AT (717) 232-0581 TO OBTAIN LEGAL REPRESENTATION OR REFERRAL TO THE DAUPHIN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION LAWYER REFERRAL.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990

The Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County is required by law to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact the Court Administrator's Office at (717) 780-6630. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or conference.]

Rule 1915.17. Relocation—Change of Address Which Will Significantly Impair The Ability of a Non-Relocating Party to Exercise Custodial Rights.

 (1) A party proposing to relocate must send a Notice of Relocation and Counter-Affidavit to every other person who has custodial rights to the child(ren) pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1915.17. The Notice of Relocation and Counter-Affidavit are found in Pa.R.C.P. 1915.17(i) and (j) and also are available [at www.dauphincounty.org/ government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help Center page.

 (2) If a party, because of the proposed relocation, files a Complaint for Custody or a Petition for Modification, the local rules regarding those actions must be followed. See Local Rule 1915.3 and [1915.3.1] 1915.15.

 (3) All Custody Agreements/Parenting Plans must contain a paragraph that states the following: ''A party proposing to change the residence of a child which significantly impairs the ability of a non-relocating party to exercise custody rights shall follow the procedures required by 23 Pa.C.S. § 5337 and Rule of Civil Procedure 1915.17 as set forth in Exhibit A attached to this Custody Agreement/Parenting Plan.'' Exhibit A must be attached to all Custody Agreements/Parenting Plans and is available [at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center] at the Dauphin County Website on the Self-Help-Center page.

Rule [1930] 1915.30. Mandatory [Four Hour Educational Seminar] Co-Parenting Video Viewing.

 (a) In all Custody actions, [the] all parties shall [complete a four hour educational seminar (Seminar for Families in Change and Conflict) if a party has not attended the Seminar in the prior twelve (12) months and in such other cases as the Court may order] view the co-parenting video found on the Dauphin County website. The link will be noted in the custody conference scheduling order.

[(b) In custody actions, other than Petitions for Special Relief (Emergency Custody Petitions), Petitions for Contempt, or when a stipulation is filed simultaneously with a Custody Complaint, all parties must attend the Seminar before the date of their Custody Conference.

(c) In a Petition for Contempt or a Petition for Special Relief (Emergency Custody) or other similar Custody actions, the parties shall attend the Seminar as ordered by the Court.

(d) The fee for the Seminar must be submitted to the Provider on the date of attendance in accordance with the instructions contained in the information sheet provided to all parties with their Seminar Attendance Order.

(e) If the parties have not attended the Seminar prior to their Custody Conference, the Custody Conference Officer shall provide the party with another date or time to attend the Seminar and such Order will be filed with the Prothonotary's Office.

(f) If the Custody Conference Officer recommends that it would be in the child(ren)'s best interests for an adult who resides in the household or has a strong role in the parenting of the child(ren) to attend the Seminar, the Court may enter an Order requiring their attendance at the Seminar.

(g) Failure to attend the Seminar may be considered as Contempt of Court punishable by fine and other appropriate sanctions.]

(b) Court Administration will receive confirmation when a party has viewed the video in its entirety and will file a Praecipe with the Prothonotary.

(c) If a party fails to view the video prior to the custody conference, Court Administration will notify the Court. Failure to view the video may be considered as Contempt of Court punishable by fine and other appropriate sanctions.

[Rule 1931. Mandatory Prior Court Involvement Statement for All Family Law Matters.

 1. For the purposes of this section, Family Law Matters include all Divorce, Custody, Protection from Abuse, Support and Paternity actions and all related motions, petitions or other pleadings.

2. All Family Law Matters that require the assignment of a judge must attach a completed Prior Court Involvement Statement to the front of their pleading. The Prior Court Involvement Statement shall be in the following form and is available at www.dauphincounty.org/government/Court-Departments/Self-Help-Center:


___________________________: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS         
Plaintiff                         : DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA           
:
v.          : NO. ______                 
:
___________________________: CIVIL ACTION - LAW                
Defendant                     

PRIOR COURT INVOLVEMENT STATEMENT

The following lists all cases involving one or more of the same parties and indicates if a prior matter involved a Conference or a Contested Hearing before a Judge or if an agreed order was entered.

Check
all
that
Apply
Action
Docket Number
Judge
Contested
Hearing or
Pretrial
Conference
Agreement
Reached and No
Hearing Before
a Judge
Required
[  ] Custody
[  ] Divorce
[  ] Support or APL
[  ] Paternity
[  ] PFA
[  ] This is the first Family Law Matter Filed in Dauphin County involving the above-captioned parties and children.

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Date                            Signature (Your Signature)

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                               Name (Print your Name)]

 The previously listed amendments shall be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and will become effective thirty days from the date of publication.

By the Court

JOHN F. CHERRY, 
President Judge

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 22-1965. Filed for public inspection December 16, 2022, 9:00 a.m.]



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