2013 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 9 - Civil Code-Ancillaries
RS 9:358.3 - Qualifications

§358.3. Qualifications

A. A person appointed as a parenting coordinator shall meet all of the following qualifications:

(1) Possess a master's, Ph.D., or equivalent degree, in a mental health field, such as psychiatry, psychology, social work, marriage and family counseling, or professional counseling, hold a Louisiana license in the mental health profession, and have no less than three years of related professional post-degree experience.

(2) Be qualified as a mediator under R.S. 9:334.

(3) Complete a minimum of forty hours of specialized training on parent coordination. A maximum of fourteen hours of family mediation training may be used towards the total forty hours.

B. The training specified in Paragraph (A)(3) of this Section shall include instruction on all of the following:

(1) The Louisiana judicial system and judicial procedure in domestic cases.

(2) Ethical standards, including confidentiality and conflicts of interest.

(3) Child development, including the impact of divorce on development.

(4) Parenting techniques.

(5) Parenting plans and time schedules.

(6) Family systems theory.

(7) Communication skills.

(8) Domestic violence and its effects on children and families.

(9) The parenting coordination process and required documentation execution.

C. In order to remain qualified, a parenting coordinator shall complete, every two calendar years, a minimum of twenty hours of continuing education in parenting coordination.

D. A court may accept the initial certification of a parenting coordinator or the maintenance of that certification made by a legal or mental health association whose focus includes resolution of child-related conflicts.

E. Upon request of the court, a parenting coordinator shall furnish satisfactory evidence of his qualifications.

Acts 2007, No. 265, §1.