SB 3083

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Allows a court to appoint a parenting coordinator when deemed in the best interests of the child following the entry of, or prior to if approved by the court, a parenting plan. Provides that a parenting coordinator shall facilitate the resolution of conflict among parties regarding an existing parenting plan in a marital dissolution, parentage, or post-judgment case. Authorizes a parenting coordinator to make specific recommendations regarding the existing parenting plan. Restricts a parenting coordinator from making certain recommendations. Requires the parenting coordinator to provide recommendations to the parties within 14 days of the recommendations. Allows the parties to submit the recommendations to the court for entry as an agreed order. Prohibits a parenting coordinator from serving as a court's professional evaluation in any proceeding involving one or more parties for whom the parenting coordinator has provided parenting coordination services. Requires the parties to pay the parenting coordinator fees. Requires the parties to comply with the recommendations made by the parenting coordinator. Allows a party to file a motion for review of any recommendations made by the parenting coordinator. Allows the parenting coordinator to have access to non-public records involving the parties. Provides that communications with the parenting coordinator shall not be confidential. Provides that no ex parte communication by the parenting coordinator with the court is permitted. Grants the same immunity to a parenting coordinator as provided to all other professionals appointed under a provision regarding the representation of a child. Allows a court to adopt its own rules governing the qualifications, appointment, duties, and training of parenting coordinators. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes language providing that a parenting coordinator is authorized to make specific recommendations regarding the existing parenting plan, including decisions regarding non-permanent alterations to the physical appearance of the child such as the child's clothing and hairstyle. Restricts a parenting coordinator from making recommendations as to any allocation of parenting time besides specified minor alterations of parenting time. Provides that a court shall consider the financial resources of the parties and any fee waiver requests pending or which have been granted. Allows the court to order the party opposing any recommendations to pay both parties' reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred in connection with the issue brought before the court if the court finds the motion for review was frivolous. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that the Supreme Court (rather than each circuit court for the State) may adopt rules governing the qualifications, appointment, duties, and training of parenting coordinators if such rules do not conflict with the minimum requirements.