A. Any judge who is assigned to hear juvenile cases in counties having a population in excess of eighty thousand (80,000) and where funding is available may appoint a suitable person or persons to act as referee or referees on a full-time or part-time basis, to hold office at the pleasure of the judge. Referees shall be licensed to practice law in this state and shall be specially qualified for their duties. Reasonable compensation shall be fixed by the presiding judge of the administrative district.

B. All referees are subject to the administrative authority and assignment power of the chief judge of the juvenile court of the county. The duties and powers of referees shall be to hear and report all matters assigned by the chief juvenile judge and to recommend findings of fact, conclusions of law, temporary and interim orders, and final orders of judgment.

C. 1. Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the referee shall provide a copy in writing of the recommended findings, conclusions, and orders to the parties, counsel and the referring judge instanter.

2. Unless stayed by order of the referee or the reviewing judge, all orders of a referee shall become immediately effective and shall continue in full force and effect until vacated or modified upon rehearing by order of the reviewing judge. Any order entered by a referee becomes a final order of the reviewing court upon expiration of three (3) judicial days following its entry, unless a review was ordered or requested. The chief judge of the juvenile court may establish requirements that any or all recommended orders of the referee must be expressly approved by the reviewing judge before becoming effective.

D. 1. Any party, as well as the Department of Human Services when the child is in the legal custody of the Department, may file a written objection to the referee’s recommendations within three (3) judicial days after notice of the recommendations. The objection shall clearly specify the reason and grounds for the objection. On receipt of the objection, the reviewing court shall set a hearing date for the review. The objecting party shall promptly provide a copy of the objection and notice of the review to the Department and all parties to the action. Failure to file a timely request for district court review shall constitute a waiver of any and all objections to the recommendations of the referee.

2. The review of the district court shall be limited to a review of the record developed before the referee.

3. The court shall accept the findings of fact of the referee unless they are clearly erroneous. After a review of the objection, the court may confirm or reconfirm the recommendations, reject, or modify them in whole or in part, receive further evidence, or remand them with instructions.

Added by Laws 1995, c. 352, § 141, eff. July 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 2009, c. 234, § 62, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009. Renumbered from § 7303-7.5 of Title 10 by Laws 2009, c. 234, § 183, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009. Amended by Laws 2010, c. 278, § 16, eff. Nov. 1, 2010.