CHAPTER 384

H.P. 683 - L.D. 973

An Act To Make Certain Changes in the Laws Concerning the

Family Division of District Court

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 4 MRSA §183, as amended by PL 2003, c. 688, Pt. C, §1 and c. 689, Pt. B, §6, is further amended to read:

§183. Family Division of District Court

There is established within the District Court a Family Division that has jurisdiction over family matters filed in District Court. The Family Division shall provide a system of justice that is responsive to the needs of families and the support of their children. The Supreme Judicial Court may adopt administrative orders and court rules governing the practice, procedure and administration of the Family Division. These practices and procedures must include, but are not limited to, education for the parties, case management and referral services to mediation and other alternate dispute resolution techniques.

1. Family law magistrates. The Chief Judge of the District Court, with the approval of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, shall employ family case management officers law magistrates. In selecting family case management officers law magistrates, the Chief Judge shall give proper consideration to achieving statewide geographical representation in the Family Division.