(a) As used in this section, “family specialist” means a staff position established by the Probate Court Budget Committee under section 45a-85 to perform the functions set forth in subsection (c) of this section.

(b) If authorized by the Probate Court Budget Committee, a Regional Children’s Probate Court or a Probate Court that is not located in a region served by a Regional Children’s Probate Court may employ a family specialist. A family specialist employed by a Probate Court may, with the consent of the Probate Court judge, perform functions under this section for another Probate Court that is not located in a region served by a Regional Children’s Probate Court.

(c) A family specialist may perform any of the following functions in connection with children’s matters, as defined in subsection (a) of section 45a-8a:

(1) Conduct conferences with interested parties, attorneys for interested parties, representatives from the Department of Children and Families and social service providers, when appropriate;

(2) Facilitate the development of the family’s plan for the care of the minor;

(3) Facilitate the development of a visitation plan;

(4) Coordinate with the Department of Children and Families to facilitate a thorough review of the matter being heard;

(5) Assess whether the family’s plan for the care of the minor, if any, is in the minor’s best interests;

(6) Assist the family in accessing community services; and

(7) Conduct follow-up regarding orders of the court.

(d) The family specialist may file with the court a report that may include:

(1) An assessment of the minor’s and family’s history;

(2) An assessment of the parent’s and any proposed guardian’s involvement with the minor;

(3) Information regarding the physical, social and emotional status of the interested parties;

(4) An assessment of the family’s plan for the care of the minor; and

(5) Any other information or data that is relevant to determine if the proposed court action is in the best interests of the minor.

(e) Any report filed by a family specialist pursuant to subsection (d) of this section shall be admissible in evidence. If a party or an attorney for a party notifies the court prior to a scheduled hearing that such party or attorney wishes to examine the family specialist who filed the report, the court shall order such family specialist to appear at the hearing.

(P.A. 12-66, S. 11; P.A. 17-136, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 17-136 added new Subsec. (a) defining “family specialist”, added new Subsec. (b) re employment of family specialist, redesignated existing Subsec. (a) as Subsec. (c) and amended same by replacing provision re matter being heard at regional children’s probate court may be assigned to probate court officer with provision re functions family specialist may perform, redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) and (c) as Subsecs. (d) and (e) and amended same by replacing “probate court officer” with “family specialist”, and made a conforming change, effective January 1, 2018.