ORDER
IT IS ORDERED that the Rules of the Twenty-third Judicial District Court be amended to add Rules XXV and XXVI as follows, effective January 1, 2004:
CHAPTER 36 CHILD SUPPORT PURSUANT TO HEARING OFFICER PROCEEDING
RULE 36.5 CRIMINAL NON-SUPPORT
RULE XXV NON-SUPPORT (CRIMINAL AND CIVIL)
SECTION A. Expedited Process
Pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes 46:236.5 and applicable articles of the Louisiana Children's Code, this Court implements an expedited process for the establishment, modification, and enforcement of support obligations by appointment of a Hearing Officer to hear support and support-related matters. The Hearing Officer shall act as a finder of fact and shall make recommendations to the Court. At the conclusion of the hearing the Hearing Officer shall render a written recommendation to the Court. The Hearing Officer shall have authority to perform and shall perform any and all duties provided by Louisiana Revised Statutes 46:236.5 as it presently exists or as it may be, from time to time, supplemented or amended, unless limited by the Court. The rules provided for herein shall also apply to those non-support cases allotted to the Parish Court.
SECTION B. Administrative Fee for Expedited Process
Pursuant to the authority of R.S. 46:236.5, in all Title IV-D Social Security Act cases presently pending and arising in the future, the Court shall assess an additional five (5%) percent to each support obligation, including existing arrearages, as well as ongoing support payments, beginning January 1, 2004.
SECTION C. Development of Forms
The Hearing Officer is authorized to develop the necessary forms in order to effectuate the prompt and efficient movement of all such cases through the Court, subject to Court approval.
SECTION D. Motion and Contradictory Hearing
Any party may take exception to the Hearing Officer's findings of fact or law and move for a contradictory hearing before the Judge of the appropriate division. A written opposition to the Hearing Officer's recommendation to the Court shall be filed within three (3) days from the date of the hearing with the Clerk of Court. Upon filing a "Motion for Contradictory Hearing" opposing the Hearing Officer's recommendation, the Court shall then schedule a contradictory hearing on the Court's next available date. The Judge shall accept, reject or modify in whole or part the findings of the Hearing Officer. Except in extraordinary circumstances, if no exception to the Hearing Officer's recommendation is filed within three (3) days following the initial hearing before the Hearing Officer, an order shall be signed by the Judge of the appropriate division which shall be a final judgment and shall be appealable to the proper appellate court.
SECTION E. Change of Address of Defendant or Payee
Both parties in a court ordered support matter are responsible for notifying the Court in writing through the Regional Support Enforcement Services Office of any change of address or place of employment.
CHAPTER 32. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS
RULE 32.0 FORMS, NOTICES AND ORDERS REQUIRED
RULE XXVI PROTECTIVE ORDERS
A. Pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statutes 46:2135 and Revised Statutes 46:236.5, the Court hereby authorizes the Hearing Officer to hear and dispose of all matters pertaining to Protective Orders in the Twenty-third Judicial District, as authorized by said statutes.
ORDER SIGNED this 18th day of December, 2003.