BILL NUMBER: SB 1031	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hollingsworth

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2005

   An act to add Section 2330.2 to the Family Code, relating to
dissolution of marriage.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1031, as introduced, Hollingsworth.   Dissolution of marriage:
family counseling.
   Existing law provides for commencement of proceedings for the
dissolution of marriage upon the filing of a petition for
dissolution. The court is required, if it appears that there is a
reasonable possibility of reconciliation, to continue the proceeding
for the dissolution of the marriage for a period not to exceed 30
days. Existing law also establishes the family conciliation court,
which may be implemented by the superior court in each county, to
provide means for the reconciliation of spouses and the amicable
settlement of domestic and family controversies.
   This bill would require the parties to a proceeding for
dissolution of marriage, if minor children are involved, to complete
4 hours of family counseling, either together or separately, during
the 30-day period immediately following the filing of the petition
for dissolution of marriage.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:(a) Three out of five divorces involve children.
   (b) Since 1970, one million children per year are victims of
divorce.
   (c) Children of divorce are twice as likely to drop out of school,
one and one-half times as likely to be out of work and out of
school, seven times more likely to be in poverty, and three times
more likely to have a child out of wedlock.
   (d) The state bears huge financial burdens dealing with the
fallout from divorce in the form of welfare, corrections, and other
social programs.
   (e) Fewer than one-third of parental divorces occur because of
high conflict, and children benefit from divorce only when they are
removed from violent or abusive situations.
   (f) Research shows that divorce often impoverishes women and
children. About one-fifth of women who apply for welfare benefits for
the first time do so because of divorce or separation, and about one
in four of those women are still welfare dependent five years later.

  SEC. 2.  Section 2330.2 is added to the  Family Code , to read:
   2330.2.  In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, if minor
children are involved, the parties shall complete four hours of
family counseling, either together or separately, during the 30-day
period immediately following the filing of the petition for
dissolution of marriage.