Duties of bureau
Sec. 6. The domestic relations counseling bureau shall perform
the following duties in domestic relations cases and such other duties
as the judges described in section 1(1) of this chapter, the judge
described in section 1(2) of this chapter, or a magistrate assigns to
the domestic relations counseling bureau:
(1) The domestic relations counseling bureau shall promptly
receive all requests for counseling services for the purpose of
disposing of the requests under this chapter.
(2) Whenever a proceeding is initiated and either party requests
counseling or mediation, the domestic relations counseling
bureau shall, in the bureau's discretion, interview and counsel
each party or confer with both parties jointly for the purpose of
reconciling the differences between the parties and making
recommendations to the judge of any court upon referral.
(3) In each case assigned to the bureau in which the custody,
support, or welfare of a child is involved, to protect and
conserve the interest of the child, the domestic relations
counseling bureau shall investigate and report upon:
(A) the status and condition of the parties to the cause;
(B) the status and condition of the child;
(C) the provisions made or to be made for the protection of
the welfare of the child; and
(D) any other matter pertaining to the marriage that may
affect the welfare of the child.
(4) Upon order of the judges described in section 1(1) of this
chapter or the judge described in section 1(2) of this chapter,
the domestic relations counseling bureau shall:
(A) make post-divorce studies of problems arising in
connection with child custody, support, and parenting time;
(B) provide assistance to the parties in the enforcement of
support orders; and
(C) cause reports to be made and statistics to be compiled,
which records and reports shall be kept as the judges
described in section 1(1) of this chapter or the judge
described in section 1(2) of this chapter directs.
(5) The domestic relations counseling bureau shall provide
supervision in connection with referred cases or other cases as
the judges described in section 1(1) of this chapter or the judge
described in section 1(2) of this chapter may order.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.68-2005, SEC.10.
Last modified: May 24, 2006