A.  When otherwise specifically authorized by law, in any prisoner suit, the court may appoint an expert who shall be disinterested and objective and will give due regard to the public safety.  If the court determines that the appointment of an expert is necessary, the court shall request that the defendant and the plaintiff each submit a list of not more than five persons to serve as an expert.  Each party shall have the opportunity to remove up to three persons from the opposing party’s list.  The court shall select the expert from the persons remaining on the lists after all names have been removed.  Any party shall have the right to an interlocutory appeal of the judge’s selection of the expert under this Section on the ground of partiality.

B.  An expert appointed under this Section may be authorized to conduct hearings and prepare proposed findings of fact on the record and may assist in the development of remedial plans.  The expert shall not make any findings or communications ex parte.  An expert may be appointed during the remedial phase of a civil action with respect to prison conditions only upon a finding that the remedial phase will be sufficiently complex to warrant such appointment.

C.  In any civil action with respect to prison conditions in which an expert is appointed under this Section, the court shall review the appointment of the expert every six months to determine whether the services of the expert continue to be required.  The expert may be removed at any time.  In no event shall the appointment of an expert extend beyond the termination of the relief.

D.  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the compensation to be allowed to an expert shall not be greater than the hourly rate established for payment of court-appointed counsel, plus costs reasonably incurred by the expert.  Such compensation and costs shall be paid with funds available to the court.

Acts 1997, No. 731, §1, eff. July 9, 1997; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 110, §1, eff. May 5, 1998.