Case Title: Amendments to The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.050, 2.075 and 2.160, And Form of Judicial Administration 2.901

Citation: 

Docket Number: SC99-162

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2000-07-13T00:00:00Z

Document:
Supreme 
Court 
of 
Florida
 
____________
No. SC99-162
____________
AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF JUDICIAL
ADMINISTRATION 2.050, 2.075, AND 2.160, AND FORM OF JUDICIAL
ADMINISTRATION 2.901.
[July 13, 2000]
PER CURIAM.
By administrative order dated October 25, 1999, this Court established the
Ad Hoc Committee on Implementation of the Kayla McKean Act (“Ad Hoc
Committee”) and directed it to address the following question:
How can the judicial branch comply with the intent of the
Kayla McKean Act to have information provided to the
Department of Children and Families without impinging
upon separation of powers, the prohibition against ex
parte contacts, the impartiality of the judiciary and other
important policy issues?
In response, the Ad Hoc Committee on December 30, 1999, submitted an
interim report to this Court recommending several proposed amendments to the
Rules of Judicial Administration that would subject judges to judicial sanctions if
-2-
they failed to provide notice to the Department of Children and Families when, in
the course of their official duties, the judges had reasonable cause to suspect that a
child is a victim of abuse, abandonment, or neglect.  This Court published the
proposed amendments in the January 15, 2000, edition of The Florida Bar News,
received several comments thereon, and ultimately held oral argument in this case
on May 8, 2000.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V,  § 2(a), Fla. Const.  
The proposed rules have generated significant opposition from, among
others, both the Rules of Judicial Administration Committee and the Family Law
Rules Committee.  In addition, the Legislature has now amended the very Act that
gave rise to this Court's appointment of the Ad Hoc Committee and the imposition
of a strict deadline on the Ad Hoc Committee to make its recommendations. 
While we appreciate the concerns expressed at oral argument by the Co-
Chairs of the Ad Hoc Committee, we are also mindful of the competing concerns
voiced by those who spoke in opposition regarding the impartiality of the judiciary
and its proper role in protecting the best interests of children.  We therefore 
decline to adopt the proposed rules at this time.  We welcome any suggestions
from all interested parties, including the Rules of Judicial Administration
Committee, the Family Law Rules Committee, and the Ad Hoc Committee as to
whether this issue should be studied further and any alternative approaches
-3-
considered.  
We commend the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of Judge
Daniel Dawson (Co-Chair), Judge Robert L. Doyel (Co-Chair), Judge Nikki Ann
Clark, Judge Walter Colbath, Jr., Judge Janet Ferris, and Judge Amy Karan.  We
wish to express not only our gratitude for all of the committee members’ hard
work, but also our hope that these dedicated individuals will continue to provide
meaningful input on this very important matter.     
It is so ordered.  
WELLS, C.J., and SHAW, HARDING, ANSTEAD, PARIENTE, LEWIS and
QUINCE, JJ., concur.
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND
IF FILED, DETERMINED.
Original Proceeding - Florida Rules of Judicial Administration
Judge Daniel Dawson, Co-Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Kayla McKean Act,
Kissimmee, Florida, and Judge Robert L. Doyel, Co-Chair, Ad Hoc Committee on
Kayla McKean Act, Bartow, Florida; and John F. Harkness, Jr., Executive Director,
The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida, and Sara H. Bohr, Chair, Juvenile Court
Rules Committee, Atlantic Beach, Florida,
for Petitioner
Scott J. Silverman, Chair, Rules of Judicial Administration Committee, Miami,
Florida, Charles J. Kahn, Jr., Vice-Chair, Rules of Judicial Administration
Committee, Tallahassee, Florida, and Larry K. Coleman, Chair, Family Law Rules 
-4-
Committee, Bradenton, Florida,
in Opposition 
Deborah A. Schroth, Florida Legal Services, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida; and
Jennifer Newsom, Clearwater, Florida,
Interested Parties