Use of parenting consultants regulation in family court cases

SF 4039 regulates how parenting consultants are used in Minnesota family court cases. The bill requires parenting consultants (neutral third parties hired by parents to resolve custody disputes) to meet specific qualifications, such as those for parenting time expeditors or marriage therapists. It explicitly states that parenting consultants cannot modify court orders, their decisions are non-binding, and their recommendations cannot be used as evidence in court. This bill directly affects parents navigating custody disputes who choose to hire such consultants.