A parenting coordinator must satisfy the following minimum qualifications:

(1) A parenting coordinator must file an approved application on the prescribed form with the presiding judge for the circuit in which the parenting coordinator will provide parenting coordinator services;

(2) A parenting coordinator shall have a minimum of four hours of domestic violence training;

(3) A parenting coordinator must have a minimum of forty (40) hours parenting coordination training. In place of forty (40) hours training, a person may, with court approval, qualify as a parenting coordinator if that person has had five years’ experience in parenting coordination with a minimum of twenty (20) cases during that period. A parenting coordinator must have competence in the following areas:

(a) General knowledge of the South Dakota court system and its procedures in contested family matters;

(b) General knowledge of South Dakota family law, especially as applied to custody and visitation issues;

(c) Knowledge of child development and specifically the impact of divorce or separation on family members;

(d) Knowledge of resources available in the state to which the parties and the children can be referred for assistance;

(e) Knowledge of interviewing and problem-solving techniques applicable to the family setting.

(4) A parenting coordinator must be committed to and participate in continuing education courses.

(5) A parenting coordinator must either be an attorney who is licensed to practice law in South Dakota; a psychologist who is licensed to practice in South Dakota; a psychiatrist who is licensed to practice in South Dakota; a social worker, family therapist or substance abuse counselor licensed to practice in South Dakota; or any other South Dakota licensed or certified professional with education, experience and specialized expertise relevant to the duties of a parenting coordinator.

Source: SL 2013, ch 268, § 2 (Supreme Court Rule 13-07), eff. July 1, 2013.