Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 32

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 32-Committee on

Elections, Procedures, and Ethics

May 30, 1997
____________

Referred to Committee on Elections, Procedures, and Ethics

SUMMARY--Directs Legislative Commission to conduct interim study of family court systems. (BDR R-1517)

EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.

ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION--Directing the Legislative Commission to conduct an interim study of family court systems.

Whereas, The Nevada Legislature enacted Senate Bill No. 395 in 1991 which created family courts as a division of the district court system in certain judicial districts; and
Whereas, In 1995, Clark and Washoe counties provided for a court complex with a section designed for and dedicated to the family court; and
Whereas, Family courts are required to provide for the fair and timely disposition of cases arising from problems encountered by families through the coordinated use of judicial and social services; and
Whereas, Family courts encourage the resolution of disputes which are before the court through nonadversarial methods or other alternatives to traditional methods used in the resolution of disputes in the past; and
Whereas, It is in the best interests of the residents of the State of Nevada to maintain a family court system which effectively and efficiently manages its caseload in a manner that promotes the fair and timely resolution of the specific issues; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate Concurring, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to appoint a subcommittee of legislators to conduct an interim study of the effectiveness and the efficiency of the family courts in Clark and Washoe counties; and be it further
Resolved, That the subcommittee make a concerted effort to hear testimony from persons and on behalf of governmental agencies involved in or affected by the family court system, such as:
1. The former members of the Clark County Family Court Implementation Committee;
2. County family services agency;
3. Family Courts and Services Center;
4. Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA);
5. Family Mediation and Assessment Center (FMAC);
6. Child protective services agency;
7. Child Haven;
8. Family Violence Center;
9. Persons familiar with probate and guardianship programs;
10. Persons familiar with the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act (URESA) relating to paternity and family support;
11. Court interpreters;
12. Persons who operate drug court programs; and
13. Administrators of the Family Courts; and be it further
Resolved, That the study of the family courts in Clark and Washoe counties must include an evaluation of:
1. Caseload management;
2. The assignment of cases;
3. Reports produced by the courts, such as the preparation of task-oriented statistics;
4. The necessity for the appointment of a Chief Judge;
5. The standardization of procedures and the consistency in decisions and judgments between the departments of the family court;
6. The involvement of the Family Mediation and Assessment Center;
7. Staff size;
8. The time required for the resolution of cases;
9. The effectiveness of family court administrators and staff; and
10. The referral of disputes to alternative methods of resolving disputes; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislative Commission shall submit a report of its findings and any recommendations for legislation to the 70th session of the Nevada Legislature.