Parenting after a divorce is often challenging for estranged couples who no longer get along. Controversial legislation that would change the direction and timing of parenting classes for divorcing couples has stalled in the Minnesota Senate, at least for now.

The parenting classes are required as part of the separation process. Early intervention was the goal of the current law, but only about a third of divorcing couples attend separation classes in Hennepin County. Supporters of Sen. Dan Hall's bill viewed the legislation as an "upgrade" to the current law.

Supporters of the bill proposed that divorce decrees not be completed by the courts until a couple completed a four-hour marriage dissolution education program, according to HometownSource.com.

Online courses were viewed as an option. They are typically about $25 cheaper than in-person courses.

While there would have been exceptions to the requirement of taking parenting classes, including if co-parenting is dangerous because of a spouse's behavior, some feared the bill would negatively impact a small percentage of divorcing couples.

For instance, representatives of the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women oppose the bill. One woman says she is "frightened" by the bill's implications. A state senator reiterated that domestic violence is one of the leading causes of murder in St. Paul.

A mental health counselor also opposed the legislation, noting that online classes simply wouldn't be adequate.

It's not clear when the legislation will be revisited. But at the Senate committee hearing this week, it has been put on hold for now.

Source: HometownResource.com, "Sen. Hall's divorcee parenting classes bill on hold," T.W. Budig, Feb. 17, 2012