1.1.................... moves to amend H.F. No. 2531 as follows:
1.2Page 1, line 10, delete section 2, and insert:

1.3    "Sec. 2. [518.161] MEDIATION.
1.4(a) When the parties for dissolution of marriage in which child custody matters
1.5will be determined, the court shall immediately enter an order for the parties to attend
1.6two hours of mediation to develop a parenting plan. Parties are not required to comply
1.7with the mediation requirement if:
1.8(1) neither party can afford mediation or a party has authorization from a court to
1.9proceed in forma pauperis;
1.10(2) the court finds that a parent has committed domestic abuse against a parent or a
1.11child who is a party to, or subject of, the matter before the court;
1.12(3) the court finds that section 518.179 applies;
1.13(4) the parents have agreed on and developed a written parenting plan or have
1.14reached an agreement regarding custody and parenting time; or
1.15(5) the court finds there are extraordinary circumstances rendering mediation
1.16unnecessary or harmful.
1.17(b) The court shall send notice to the parties of the requirement for mediation. The
1.18parties must submit verification of completion of mediation to the court or the reasons for
1.19exemption from mediation under paragraph (a).
1.20(c) The court must order the parties to participate in mediation before the court may
1.21order the parties to participate in early neutral evaluation."