STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE BILL 1568	By:	Jordan

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to marriage; amending Section 1, Chapter 105, O.S.L. 2010 (43 O.S. Supp. 2010, Section 120.7), which relates to court expert requirements; modifying definition of court expert; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     Section 1, Chapter 105, O.S.L. 2010 (43 O.S. Supp. 2010, Section 120.7), is amended to read as follows:
Section 120.7  A.  As used in this section, “court expert” means a parenting coordinator, guardian ad litem, custody evaluator or any other person appointed by the court in a custody or visitation proceeding involving children.
B.  Before the court appoints an individual as a court expert, the following disclosures shall be made by the candidate to the parties:
1.  A disclosure of any prior relationships with any party, attorney or judge in the pending action;
2.  A complete resume disclosing all personal and professional qualifications to serve as a court expert;
3.  Any suspensions from practice, reprimands, or other formal punishments resulting from an adjudication of complaints filed against the person with the professional licensing board or other organization authorized to receive complaints regarding the performance of the individual in question; and
4.  Any criminal convictions within the past ten (10) years and inclusion on any sexual offender list.
C.  A party may file an objection to the appointment of a proposed court expert within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of the disclosures required by subsection B of this section.  Upon filing an objection to the proposed court expert, the court shall set the matter for hearing.  If requested, the party objecting to the appointment of the proposed court expert shall be entitled to discovery related to the qualifications and appropriateness of the proposed court expert prior to hearing. 
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2011.

53-1-6238	SDR	12/20/10