100 STAT. 3230
Reports.
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PUBLIC LAW 99-573—OCT. 28, 1986
•.h that the case involves complex issues requiring judicial resolu7sl)' tion, the hearing commissioner shall establish a temporary support obligation and refer unresolved issues to a judge of the
- 'iT Superior Court.
brv "(C) In cases under subparagraphs (A) and (B) in which the <r i hearing commissioner finds that there is a duty of support and s the individual owing that duty has been served or given notice s ' ' of the proceeding under any applicable statute or court rule, if that individual fails to appear or otherwise respond, the hearing commissioner shall enter a default order, which shall constitute a final order of the Superior Court; -^' "(5) Subject to the rules of the Superior Court and with the consent of the parties involved, make findings and enter final ^ orders or judgments in other uncontested or contested proceed® •' ings, in the Civil, Criminal, and Family Divisions of the Supe* rior Court, excluding jury trials and trials of felony cases, "(k) With respect to proceedings and hearings under paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) of subsection (j)> a review of the hearing commissioner's order or judgment, in whole or in part, may be made by a judge of the appropriate division sua sponte and must be made upon a motion of one of the parties made pursuant to procedures established by rules of the Superior Court. The reviewing judge shall conduct such proceedings as required by the rules of the Superior Court. An appeal to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals may be made only after a judge of the Superior Court has reviewed the order or judgment. "(1) The Superior Court shall ensure that all hearing commissioners receive training to enable them to fulfill their responsibilities. "(m)(l) The chief judge of the Superior Court, in consultation with the District of Columbia Bar, the City Council of the District of Columbia, and other interested parties, shall within one year of the effective date of this section, make a careful study of conditions in the Superior Court to determine— "(A) the number of appointments required to provide for the j,jj. effective administration of justice; "(B) the divisions in which hearing commissioners shall serve; "(C) the appropriate functions of hearing commissioners; and ^ "(D) the compensation of, and other personnel matters pertaining to, hearing commissioners. ^ Upon completion of the study, the chief judge shall report the findings of such study to the appropriate committees of the Congress. "(2) After the study required by paragraph (1), the chief judge shall, from time to time, make such studies as the Board of Judges shall deem expedient, giving consideration to suggestions of the District of Columbia Bar and other interested parties. "(n) With the concurrence of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, the Board of Judges of the Superior Court may, promulgate rules, not inconsistent with the terms of this section, which are necessary for the fair and effective utilization of hearing commissioners in the Superior Court. "(o) For purposes of this section, the term 'Board of Judges' means the judges of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Any action of the Board of Judges shall require a majority vote of the sitting judges.". „ - , ^.j.
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