Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 115 Part 3.djvu/35

 PUBLIC LAW 107-114-JAN. 8, 2002 115 STAT. 2109 the action or proceeding to the greatest extent practicable, feasible, and lawful, subject to subparagraph (C). "(B) ALL CASES INVOLVING AN INDIVIDUAL. — If an individual who is a party to an action or proceeding assigned to the Family Court becomes a party to another action or proceeding assigned to the Family Court, the individual's subsequent action or proceeding shall be assigned to the same judge or magistrate judge to whom the individual's initial action or proceeding is assigned to the greatest extent practicable and feasible. "(C) FAMILY COURT CASE RETENTION.— If the full term of a Family Court judge to whom the action or proceeding is assigned is completed prior to the final disposition of the action or proceeding, the presiding judge of the Family Court shall ensure that the matter or proceeding is reassigned to a judge serving on the Family Court. "(D) EXCEPTION. —^A judge whose full term on the Family Court is completed but who remains in Superior Court may retain the case or proceeding for not more than 6 months or, in extraordinary circumstances, for not more than 12 months after ceasing to serve if— "(i) the case remains at all times in full compliance with Public Law 105-89, if applicable; and "(ii) if Public Law 105-89 is applicable, the chief judge determines, in consultation with the presiding judge of the Family Court, based on the record in the case and any unique expertise, training or knowledge of the case that the judge might have, that permitting the judge to retain the case would lead to permanent placement of the child more quickly than reassignment to a judge in the Faihily Court. "(3) STANDARDS OF JUDICIAL ETHICS.— The actions of a judge or magistrate judge in retaining an action or proceeding under this paragraph shall be subject to applicable standards of judicial ethics. "(c) TRAINING PROGRAM.— "(1) IN GENERAL. — The chief judge, in consultation with the presiding judge of the Family Court, shall carry out an ongoing program to provide training in family law and related matters for judges of the Family Court and other judges of the Superior Court who are assigned Family Court cases, including magistrate judges, attorneys who practice in the Family Court, and appropriate nonjudicial personnel, and shall include in the program information and instruction regarding the following: "(A) Child development. "(B) Family dynamics, including domestic violence. "(C) Relevant Federal and District of Columbia laws. "(D) Permanency planning principles and practices. "(E) Recognizing the risk factors for child abuse. "(F) Any other matters the presiding judge considers appropriate. "(2) USE OF CROSS-TRAINING.—The program carried out under this section shall use the resources of lawyers and legal professionals, social workers, and experts in the field of child development and other related fields.

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