As amended through October 11, 2024
Rule 21 - Filing of Disposition Reports(a) Time for filing. At least 5 days prior to a scheduled disposition hearing, the agency with case responsibility shall file in the official court record in the Family Court Clerk's Office a report in accordance with Rule 22. At the time the report is filed with the Court, the agency with case responsibility shall mail, fax or deliver copies to all attorneys of record and shall deliver a copy to the chambers of the responsible judicial officer.(b) Guardian ad litem and other attorney reports. At disposition the child's guardian ad litem or counsel for the child may submit a written report setting forth the factual results of the guardian's or counsel's independent investigation and conclusions as to what action should be taken in the child's best interests. Other counsel may submit reports as they deem necessary. These reports shall be filed in the Family Court Clerk's Office and placed in the official court record of the case at least five days prior to the hearing. At the time the report is filed with the Court, the report writer shall mail, fax or deliver copies to all attorneys of record and shall deliver a copy to the chambers of the responsible judicial officer.(c) Advance submission of reports from professionals. Any written reports that any agency other than that with case responsibility or any other party may wish to be considered must be filed in the Family Court Clerk's Office and placed in the official court record of the case and mailed, faxed or delivered to all parties at least five days prior to the disposition hearing. Such reports shall include the name, address and telephone number of the author/preparer.(d) Findings and conclusions. The judicial officer who conducts the fact-finding hearing shall not consider any reports submitted in accordance with subsections (a), (b) and (c) until after he or she has made findings of fact and conclusions of law at the conclusion of the fact-finding hearing.