Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT

TITLE:            CONCERNING PARENTING COORDINATORS IN DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES.

Summary of Assessment

            The bill creates the position of parenting coordinator to assist parties in a domestic relations action to aid in dispute resolution regarding the parties minor or dependent children. Appointment of a parenting coordinator is discretionary. The bill establishes the issues that a parenting coordinator may and may not decide, and allows both the court and the parties to limit the decision-making authority of the parenting coordinator. The bill also identifies the qualifications necessary to serve as a parenting coordinator. The bill provides the manner in which parenting coordinator's fees shall be allocated between the parties; and in cases of hardship, when a parenting coordinator may be appointed to serve on a volunteer basis. The bill stipulates that the state shall assume no financial responsibility for payment of fees to the parenting coordinator. The bill is effective 90 days upon adjournment unless a referendum petition is filed and approved by the voters.

            The bill places no requirements on the Judicial Branch; appointment of a parenting coordinator is discretionary. The use of parenting coordinators will not require additional resources in the courts. Additionally, the bill provides that the state shall not be financially responsible for parenting coordinator fees. Therefore, the bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.

Departments Contacted

            Judicial