32-1402. DECLARATION OF PURPOSE. The legislature declares that an effective response to address the needs of families and children in resolving these disputes would include the following:

(1) Case management practices that provide a flexible response to the diverse court-related needs of families involved in multiple court cases which will promote the efficient use of time and resources of the parties and the court, and avoid conflicting court orders;

(2) The expansion of available nonadversarial methods of dispute resolution, including mediation of child custody and visitation disputes and alternative dispute resolution assessments;

(3) Coordination of family dispute issues with related litigation involving the juvenile correction laws and criminal laws;

(4) A family court services coordinator to assist families in need to connect with appropriate resources for the family, to provide assessment information to the court to assist in early case resolution, and to conduct workshops which will educate the parties on the adverse impact of high conflict family disputes upon children, identify the developmental needs of children, and emphasize the importance of parenting plans and mediation techniques which peacefully resolve child custody and visitation issues;

(5) A court assistance officer to provide assistance to parties without legal representation to help them understand the legal requirements of the court system, including educational materials, court forms, assistance in completing court forms, information about court procedures, and referrals to public and community agencies and resources that provide legal and other services to parents and children;

(6) A domestic violence court coordinator to assist in the effective operation of a domestic violence court and to serve victims and families involved in domestic violence court proceedings;

(7) Supervised visitation by trained providers to assure the safety and welfare of children in cases where certain risk factors are identified; and

(8) The adoption of other methods and procedures which will promote a timely and effective resolution of related disputes in court cases involving children and families.

History:

[32-1402, added 2001, ch. 338, sec. 1, p. 1199; am. 2009, ch. 79, sec. 1, p. 218.]