Rule 16.65 - Responsibilities of Court(A)GeneralIn order to ensure only qualified individuals perform the duties of a parenting coordinator and the requirements of Sup.R. 16.60 through 16.66 are met, a court of common pleas or a division of the court that elects to use parenting coordination shall do all of the following:
(1) Establish screening procedures for the capacity of the parties to participate in parenting coordination;(2) Establish procedures for monitoring and evaluating parenting coordination to ensure the quality of the parenting coordinators to which cases are referred;(3) Develop a process and designate a person for accepting and considering written comments and complaints regarding the performance of parenting coordinators appointed by the court or division. A copy of comments and complaints submitted to the court or division shall be provided to the parenting coordinator who is the subject of the complaint or comment. The parenting coordinator may submit a written response to the comment or complaint. The comment or complaint, and any written response submitted by the parenting coordinator, shall be forwarded to the administrative judge of the court or division, as applicable, for consideration and appropriate action. Dispositions by the court or division shall be made promptly. The court or division shall maintain a written record in the parenting coordinator's file regarding the nature and disposition of any comment or complaint and shall notify the person making the comment or complaint and the parenting coordinator of the disposition.(4) Allow parenting coordination to proceed only if the parenting coordinator meets the qualifications, education, and training requirements of Sup.R. 16.64;(5) Prohibit parenting coordination when domestic abuse or domestic violence is alleged, suspected, or present, unless all of the following conditions are satisfied: (a) Screening is conducted, both before and during parenting coordination, for domestic abuse and domestic violence and for the capacity of the parties to engage in parenting coordination;(b) The person who is or may be the victim of domestic abuse or domestic violence is fully informed about the parenting coordination process; the right to decline participation in the parenting coordination process; and, at the discretion of the parenting coordinator, the right to have any other individuals attend and participate in parenting coordination sessions;(c) The parties have the capacity to participate in the parenting coordination process without fear of coercion or control;(d) The court has taken reasonable precautions to create a safe parenting coordination environment for the parties and all other persons involved in the parenting coordination process; (e) Procedures are in place for the parenting coordinator to terminate a parenting coordination session if there is a threat of domestic abuse, domestic violence, or coercion between the parties.(B)Appointment orderWhen ordering parenting coordination, the court or division shall issue an appointment order that does all of the following:
(1) Includes the name and contact information of the parenting coordinator and outlines the definition and purpose of the parenting coordinator;(2) Specifies the scope of authority of the parenting coordinator;(3) Sets forth the term of the appointment; (4) Allocates the responsibility for fees and expenses related to parenting coordination;(5) Addresses procedures for decision-making of the parenting coordinator;(6) Addresses procedures for objections to parenting coordinator decisions; (7) Addresses other provisions as the court considers necessary and appropriate;(8) Orders the parties to contact the parenting coordinator within the time period specified by the court.Ohio. R. Superi. Ct. 16.65
Adopted September 6, 2022, effective 1/1/2023.