SB 12 - This act allows any family court or any judicial circuit which has not yet established a family court to create a "Parental Responsibility Training Program". Courts which establish such a program may order any custodial parent, guardian or legal custodian of a child who is adjudicated, or subject to adjudication, for any offense to attend the program.

The Department of Social Services, after consultation with the Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Safety and the Judiciary, shall establish standards and guidelines for the programs which shall include instruction in the following: physical, mental, social and emotional growth and development; skill development in providing for the child's learning and development; prevention of alcohol and other drug abuse; family structure and aspects of interpersonal and family relationships.

Where programs are established a nine member local board shall be appointed by the appropriate judge. The board members shall consist of one person from the family education field; one member from the law enforcement field; one member from the prosecutor's office; two members from juvenile justice and probation services; one member from the community at large; one member from the mental health or substance abuse prevention and treatment field; one member from the Department of Social Services and one legal advisory associate member.

One half of the board members shall be reappointed every two years. The board shall meet quarterly to review and certify training programs, to receive complaints and grievances regarding the training programs, and to make recommendations to the appropriate judge. No board member shall have an interest in the training program or the services provided in conjunction with the program. Each board member shall serve without compensation, but will be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.

Each local board will report annually to the State Courts Administrator concerning the program. The State Courts Administrator will prepare an annual report, beginning January 1997, for the General Assembly, regarding the efforts and outcomes of the training programs.

Persons ordered or those who voluntarily agree to attend a training program may be charged a fee to cover the cost of the program. The cost shall not exceed $75 and shall be assessed as court costs.
JAMES KLAHR