§ 31-12-2-6 — Duties of bureau

The domestic relations counseling bureau shall
perform the following duties in domestic relations cases and such other
duties as the judges described in section 1(1) of this chapter, the judge
described in section 1(2) of this chapter, or a magistrate assigns to the
domestic relations counseling bureau:
(1) The domestic relations counseling bureau shall promptly
receive all requests for counseling services for the purpose of
disposing of the requests under this chapter.
(2) Whenever a proceeding is initiated and either party requests
counseling or mediation, the domestic relations counseling bureau
shall, in the bureau's discretion, interview and counsel each party
or confer with both parties jointly for the purpose of reconciling
the differences between the parties and making recommendations
to the judge of any court upon referral.
(3) In each case assigned to the bureau in which the custody,
support, or welfare of a child is involved, to protect and conserve
the interest of the child, the domestic relations counseling bureau
shall investigate and report upon:
(A) the status and condition of the parties to the cause;
(B) the status and condition of the child;
(C) the provisions made or to be made for the protection of the
welfare of the child; and
(D) any other matter pertaining to the marriage that may affect
the welfare of the child.
(4) Upon order of the judges described in section 1(1) of this
chapter or the judge described in section 1(2) of this chapter, the
domestic relations counseling bureau shall:
(A) make post-divorce studies of problems arising in
connection with child custody, support, and parenting time;
(B) provide assistance to the parties in the enforcement of
support orders; and
(C) cause reports to be made and statistics to be compiled,
which records and reports shall be kept as the judges described
in section 1(1) of this chapter or the judge described in section
1(2) of this chapter directs.
(5) The domestic relations counseling bureau shall provide
supervision in connection with referred cases or other cases as the
judges described in section 1(1) of this chapter or the judge
described in section 1(2) of this chapter may order.
[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-24-5 part.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.68-2005, SEC.10.