MI HB5082

Court may appoint a parenting coordinator by agreement of parties to help implement parenting time orders and resolve parenting disputes, with consideration of any history of coercive or violent relationships between parties.

Appointment order must include duration, cost allocation between parties, scope of duties (transportation, schedules, health care, school issues, discipline, and other parenting matters), and dispute resolution process ensuring both parties are heard.

Parenting coordinator has access to child, school/medical records, therapists, and right to interview relevant parties, and must make written recommendations that are not evidence unless parties stipulate otherwise.

Parenting coordinator must screen for domestic violence history, keep parties separated if violence or coercion is found unless the at-risk party requests otherwise, and cannot disclose information that would compromise safety.

State court administrative office must develop qualification and training standards for parenting coordinators within 2 years, including training on violent and coercive domestic relationships; parenting coordinator has immunity from civil liability within scope of authority.