§ 461b - Powers of assistant judges in Essex and Orleans counties in parentage proceedings
§ 461b. Powers of assistant judges in Essex and Orleans counties in parentage proceedings
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an assistant judge in Essex or Orleans county may elect to hear and determine a complaint or action to establish parentage and support as provided in section 462 of this title.
(b) When an assistant judge elects to hear such a case, the clerk shall set it for hearing before the assistant judge. In the event both assistant judges elect to hear such cases, the senior assistant judge shall make case assignments.
(c) Hearings under this section shall be held within 30 days of the filing of the petition under section 293 of Title 15.
(d) Assistant judges shall satisfactorily complete a minimum of 30 hours of training on the subjects of child support and divorce, which shall be provided by the office of child support, in order to hear and determine complaints under this section. (Added 1993, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; amended 1995, No. 59, § 2.)