In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules for Qualified and Court-Appointed Parenting Coordinators ( 2021 )


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  •           Supreme Court of Florida
    ____________
    No. SC20-942
    ____________
    IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES FOR
    QUALIFIED AND COURT-APPOINTED PARENTING
    COORDINATORS.
    December 2, 2021
    PER CURIAM.
    The Supreme Court Committee on Alternative Dispute
    Resolution Rules and Policy (Committee) proposes amendments to
    the Florida Rules for Qualified and Court-Appointed Parenting
    Coordinators.1 We have jurisdiction 2 and adopt the proposed
    amendments with minor, technical changes. 3
    1. The Committee proposes the amendments pursuant to In re
    Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy, Fla.
    Admin. Order No. AOSC18-29 (July 2, 2018), which charges the
    Committee with monitoring court rules governing alternative
    dispute resolution procedures and recommending necessary
    changes to the Court.
    2. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.
    3. References to the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration
    are amended to reflect the new title of the body of rules, the Florida
    Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration. See In re
    The Committee proposes several new rules, as well as
    amendments that would reorganize the current rules. First, the
    Committee proposes renumbering and renaming existing Part I
    (Standards) to Part II (Standards of Professional Conduct) and
    creating a new Part I (Rostering of Parenting Coordinators), which
    includes new rules 15.010 (Circuit Disqualification) and 15.020
    (Renewal). While the existing language of rule 15.000 (Applicability
    of Standards) is renumbered as rule 15.200 and moved to newly
    renumbered Part II, rule 15.000 is retained in new Part I, retitled
    “Qualification,” and rewritten to outline the qualification process for
    parenting coordinators. Next, existing Part II (Discipline) is
    renumbered to Part III (Discipline). The rules in both newly
    renumbered parts are renumbered accordingly. Last, the
    Committee proposes a new Part IV (Operating Procedures) and
    organizing new rule 15.400 (Authority) in this part. The Committee
    voted unanimously in favor of the proposed amendments.
    Amends. to Fla. Rules of Jud. Admin.—2020 Regular-Cycle Report,
    
    310 So. 3d 374
     (Fla. 2021).
    -2-
    Before filing its rule proposals with the Court, the Committee
    published the proposals for comment, and Committee staff
    responded to each e-mailed comment individually. After the
    Committee’s proposals were filed, the Court published the proposals
    for comment. The Court received two comments. The Committee
    filed a response urging the Court to adopt the amendments as
    proposed.
    After considering the Committee’s proposed amendments, the
    comments, and the Committee’s response, we adopt the
    amendments as proposed by the Committee. Accordingly, the
    Florida Rules for Qualified and Court-Appointed Parenting
    Coordinators are amended as reflected in the appendix to this
    opinion. New language is indicated by underscoring; deletions are
    indicated by struck-through type. The amendments shall take
    effect immediately upon the release of this opinion.
    It is so ordered.
    CANADY, C.J., and POLSTON, LABARGA, LAWSON, MUÑIZ,
    COURIEL, and GROSSHANS, JJ., concur.
    THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER
    THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS.
    -3-
    Original Proceeding – Supreme Court Committee on Alternative
    Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy
    Honorable Michael S. Orfinger, Chair, Committee on Alternative
    Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy, Daytona Beach, Florida, and
    Juan R. Collins, Senior Attorney, Dispute Resolution Center,
    Tallahassee, Florida,
    for Petitioner
    Heather L. Apicella, Chair, Family Law Section of The Florida Bar,
    Boca Raton, Florida, Douglas Avery Greenbaum, Past Chair, Family
    Law Section of The Florida Bar, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Kristin
    Kirkner, Co-Chair, Rules and Forms Committee, Family Law
    Section of The Florida Bar, Tampa, Florida, Jack A. Moring,
    Co-Chair, Rules and Forms Committee, Family Law Section of The
    Florida Bar, Crystal River, Florida, and K. Beth Luna, Past Co-
    Chair, Rules and Forms Committee, Family Law Section of The
    Florida Bar, Jacksonville, Florida; and Valorie Hoppenworth,
    Tallahassee, Florida,
    Responding with comments
    -4-
    APPENDIX
    FLORIDA RULES FOR QUALIFIED AND COURT-APPOINTED
    PARENTING COORDINATORS
    PART I.      STANDARDSROSTERING OF PARENTING
    COORDINATORS
    RULE 15.000.        QUALIFICATION
    (a) Process for Qualification. Parenting coordinators shall be qualified
    pursuant to section 61.125, Florida Statutes, and these rules as follows:
    (1) The chief judge or designee(s) in each judicial circuit shall
    review each application and determine which individuals applying to serve as
    parenting coordinators meet the qualifications under section 61.125, Florida
    Statutes, to be included on the roster of qualified parenting coordinators of that
    circuit; and
    (2) Each judicial circuit may conduct a criminal background
    investigation and make inquiries necessary to verify an applicant’s eligibility to be
    included on the roster.
    (3) Each judicial circuit shall establish and maintain a roster of
    parenting coordinators from which the trial court may appoint a qualified parenting
    coordinator.
    (b) No additional requirements. Chief judges or designee(s) shall not
    impose additional requirements for a parenting coordinator to be included on a
    circuit’s roster other than those listed in section 61.125, Florida Statutes, and these
    rules.
    (c) Application form. The standardized application form that shall be
    used by each judicial circuit for parenting coordinators who wish to apply to be
    qualified as a parenting coordinator by the chief judge shall be developed by the
    Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy and disseminated
    to the circuits by the Dispute Resolution Center.
    -5-
    RULE 15.010.       CIRCUIT DISQUALIFICATION
    (a) Disqualification Process. Parenting coordinators shall be
    disqualified pursuant to section 61.125, Florida Statutes, and these rules.
    (1) The chief judge or designee(s) in each judicial circuit shall
    establish a process to periodically review whether a parenting coordinator
    continues to be qualified.
    (2) Parenting coordinators who are disqualified shall immediately
    be removed from the circuit’s list of qualified parenting coordinators.
    (b) Appeal. Any appeal pertaining to a parenting coordinator’s inclusion
    on or removal from the roster shall be heard and decided by the chief judge or
    designee(s) in that judicial circuit, whose decision shall be final.
    RULE 15.020.       RENEWAL
    (a) Process. The chief judge or designee(s) in each judicial circuit shall
    require qualified parenting coordinators to renew their qualifications for inclusion
    on the roster by submitting the statewide approved renewal form and verification
    of 16 hours of continuing parenting coordination education every two years.
    (b) Time Period. Renewals for qualified parenting coordinators shall be
    due on the same date for all judicial circuits. All qualified parenting coordinators
    shall renew their qualifications and provide verification of continuing parenting
    coordination education on or before December 31 of every odd-numbered year
    regardless of the length of initial or renewal qualification.
    (c) Application form. The standardized renewal application form that
    shall be used by each judicial circuit for parenting coordinators who wish to apply
    for renewal of their qualification as a parenting coordinator by the chief judge shall
    be developed by the Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and
    Policy and disseminated to the circuits by the Dispute Resolution Center.
    (d) Time for completion of continuing parenting coordination
    education. If all other qualifications are satisfied but a qualified parenting
    coordinator is deficient in continuing parenting coordination education hours, the
    parenting coordinator shall be notified in writing and qualification shall be
    continued for 90 days from the notice of noncompliance. During those 90 days,
    the parenting coordinator shall complete all remaining continuing parenting
    -6-
    coordination education requirements to be eligible for continued qualification.
    Qualification shall not be renewed until all continuing parenting coordination
    education requirements are complete.
    PART II.     STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
    RULE 15.200.        APPLICABILITY OF STANDARDS
    [No change]
    RULE 15.010205. PARENTING COORDINATION DEFINED
    Parenting coordination is a child-focused alternative dispute resolution
    process whereby a parenting coordinator assists the parents in creating or
    implementing a parenting plan by facilitating the resolution of disputes between
    the parents by providing education, making recommendations, and, with the prior
    approval of the parents and the court, making limited decisions within the scope of
    the court's order of referral. For the purposes of these standards, “parent” refers to
    the child’s mother, father, legal guardian, or other person who is acting as a parent
    andor guardian.
    RULE 15.0210.       PARENTING COORDINATION CONCEPTS
    [No change]
    RULE 15.030215. COMPETENCE
    [No change]
    RULE 15.040220. INTEGRITY
    [No change]
    Committee Notes
    [No change]
    RULE 15.050225. ADVICE, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND INFORMATION
    [No change]
    -7-
    RULE 15.06230. IMPARTIALITY
    (a)    [No change]
    (b) Disclosure. A parenting coordinator shall advise all parties of
    circumstances which may impact impartiality including, but not limited to,
    potential conflicts of interests bearing on possible bias, prejudice, or impartiality.
    (c) – (f)     [No change]
    RULE 15.070235. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
    [No change]
    Committee Notes
    [No change]
    RULE 15.08240. SCHEDULING THE PARENTING COORDINATION
    PROCESS
    [No change]
    RULE 15.090245. COMPLIANCE WITH AUTHORITY
    [No change]
    RULE 15.10250. IMPROPER INFLUENCE
    [No change]
    RULE 15.110255. MARKETING PRACTICES
    [No change]
    Committee Note
    [No change]
    -8-
    RULE 15.1260.      CONCURRENT STANDARDS
    [No change]
    RULE 15.130265. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS
    [No change]
    RULE 15.14270. CONFIDENTIALITY
    [No change]
    RULE 15.150275. NOTICE AND INITIAL SESSION
    [No changes]
    RULE 15.16280. FEES AND COSTS
    [No change]
    RULE 15.170285. RECORDS
    [No change]
    RULE 15.18290. SAFETY, CAPACITY, AND PROTECTION
    [No change]
    RULE 15.190295. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
    [No change]
    RULE 15.20098. RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COURTS
    (a) CandidCandor with Referring Court. Parenting coordinators shall
    be candid, accurate, and responsive to the court concerning the parenting
    coordinators’ qualifications, availability and other administrative matters.
    (b)   [No change]
    -9-
    PART III. DISCIPLINE
    RULE 15.21300. SCOPE AND PURPOSE
    [No change]
    RULE 15.22310. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHIEF JUDGE
    [No change]
    RULE 15.230315. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
    [No change]
    RULE 15.24320. PRIVILEGE TO SERVE
    [No change]
    RULE 15.250325. DEFINITIONS
    [No change]
    RULE 15.26330. PARENTING COORDINATOR REVIEW BOARD
    [No change]
    RULE 15.270335. JURISDICTION AND POWERS
    (a) RVCC. Each RVCC shall have such jurisdiction and powers as are
    necessary to conduct the proper and speedy investigation and disposition of any
    complaint. �e RVCC shall perform its investigatory function and have
    concomitant power to resolve cases prior to panel referral. �e judge or attorney
    chairing the RVCC shall have the power to compel:
    (1) – (3) [No change]
    �e RVCC shall perform its investigatory function and have concomitant
    power to resolve cases prior to panel referral.
    - 10 -
    (b)    [No change]
    (c) Panel Vice-Chair. �e vice-chair of a panel, upon the unavailability
    of the chair, is authorized to issue subpoenas or order the production of records or
    other documentary evidence.
    RULE 15.28340. CONTEMPT PROCESS
    (a)    [No change]
    (b) RVCC and Panel Contempt. �e chair of an RVCC or panel may
    hear any motions filed either before or during a RVCC meeting or panel hearing or
    hold any person in contempt for conduct occurring during the RVCC meeting or
    panel hearing.
    Committee Notes
    [No change]
    RULE 15.290345. RULE VIOLATION COMPLAINT PROCESS
    (a) – (i)     [No change]
    (j)     Notice and Publication. Any consensual resolution agreement which
    includes sanctions shall be distributed by the DRC to all circuits through the chief
    judges, all trial and appellate court administrators, and the ADR directors; it shall
    also be published on the DRC page of the Florida Courts website with the rule or
    rules listed as violated, and a copy of the agreement. Any information in the
    agreement which is otherwise confidential under Florida Rule of General Practice
    and Judicial Administration 2.420 shall be redacted.
    RULE 15.3500.       HEARING PANEL PROCEDURES
    (a) – (h)     [No change]
    (i)    Procedures for Hearing. �e procedures for a hearing shall be as
    follows:
    (1) – (4)     [No change]
    - 11 -
    (5)   Testimony.
    (A) – (B)     [No change]
    (i)   [No change]
    (ii) Other Provisions. Telephonic and electronic
    testimony shall otherwise be governed by the Rules of General Practice and
    Judicial Administration.
    (6) – (9)     [No change]
    (10) Parenting Coordinator’s Failure to Appear. If the parenting
    coordinator has failed to answer the underlying complaint or fails to appear, the
    panel may proceed with the hearing.
    (A) No Response to Complaint Submitted. If the hearing is
    conducted in the absence of a parenting coordinator who failed to respond to the
    underlying complaint and the allegations were therefore deemed admitted, no
    further notice to the parenting coordinator is necessary and the decision of the
    panel shall be final.
    (B) Response to Complaint Submitted. If the hearing is
    conducted in the absence of a parenting coordinator who submitted a response to
    the underlying complaint, the DRC shall notify the parenting coordinator that the
    hearing occurred and whether the matter was dismissed or if sanctions were
    imposed. �e parenting coordinator may petition for rehearing by showing good
    cause for such absence. A petition for rehearing must be received by the DRC and
    the prosecutor no later than 10 days from the parenting coordinator’s receipt of the
    DRC notification. �e prosecutor shall file a response, if any, within 5 days from
    receipt of the petition for rehearing. �e disposition of the petition shall be decided
    solely by the chair of the panel and any hearing on the motion required by the chair
    of the panel may be conducted telephonically or by other communication
    equipment. If a rehearing is ordered, it shall follow the procedures and rules
    governing the original hearing.
    (11) – (12) [No change]
    (j)    [No change]
    - 12 -
    (k) Notice to Circuits and Districts. In every case in which a parenting
    coordinator has had sanctions imposed by agreement or decision, such agreement
    or decision shall be sent by the DRC to all circuits and districts through the chief
    judges, all trial and appellate court administrators, and the ADR Directors. Any
    information in the agreement or decision which is otherwise confidential under
    Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420 shall be
    redacted.
    (l)    Publication. Upon the imposition of sanctions, whether by consent of
    the parenting coordinator and approval by the panel or by decision of the panel
    after a hearing, the DRC shall publish the name of the parenting coordinator, a list
    of the rule or rules which were violated, and a copy of the decision of the panel.
    Any information in the agreement or decision which is otherwise confidential
    under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420 shall be
    redacted. Such publication shall be on the DRC page of the Florida Courts’
    website and in any outside publication at the discretion of the Chief of Alternative
    Dispute Resolution.
    RULE 15.310355. BURDEN OF PROOF
    [No change]
    RULE 15.32360. SANCTIONS
    [No changes]
    RULE 15.330365. SUSPENSION, DISQUALIFICATION, AND REMOVAL
    [No change]
    RULE 15.34370. SUBPOENAS
    [No change]
    RULE 15.350375. CONFIDENTIALITY OF DISCIPLINARY
    PROCEEDINGS
    (a) Generally. All complaints alleging misconduct against parenting
    coordinators subject to disciplinary action under these rules, including the
    parenting coordinator’s response, if any, and all other records made or received as
    - 13 -
    part of the complaint procedure, are exempt from public disclosure under rule
    2.420(c)(3)(B), Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, and
    shall remain confidential until a finding of probable cause or no probable cause is
    established, regardless of the outcome of any appeal.
    (b)   [No change]
    RULE 15.3680.       DISQUALIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF MEMBERS
    OF MEMBERS OF A RVCC, PANEL OR PCRB
    [No change]
    RULE 15.370385. CHIEF JUDGE REVIEW
    [No change]
    PART IV. OPERATING PROCEDURES
    RULE 15.400.        AUTHORITY
    The Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy shall
    have authority to promulgate, adopt, and amend operating procedures containing
    the initial parenting coordination training standards, continuing parenting
    coordinator education provisions, and procedures for approving and reporting
    compliance with the same and any other procedures necessary to implement these
    rules.
    - 14 -
    

Document Info

Docket Number: SC20-942

Filed Date: 12/2/2021

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 12/2/2021