District of Columbia Family Court Act of 2001
PL 107-114 (H.R.2657), enacted 01/08/2002

115 STAT. 2100 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
Public Law 107-
107th Congress 
114 
Jan. 8, 2002 
[H.R. 2657] 
District of 
Columbia FamUy 
Court Act of 
2001. 
An Act 
To amend title 11, District of Columbia Code, to redesignate the Family Division 
of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia as the Family Court of the 
Superior Court, to recruit and retain trained and experienced judges to serve 
in the Family Court, to promote consistency and efficiency in the assignment 
of judges to the Family Court and in the consideration of actions and proceedings 
in the Family Court, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "District of Columbia Family 
Court Act of 2001". 
SEC. 2. REDESIGNATION OF FAMILY DIVISION AS FAMILY COURT OF 
THE SUPERIOR COURT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 11-902, District of Columbia Code, 
is amended to read as follows: 
"§ 11-902. Organization of the court 
"(a) IN GENERAL.—The Superior Court shall consist of the fol-
lowing: 
"(1) The Civil Division. 
"(2) The Criminal Division. 
"(3) The Family Court. 
"(4) The Probate Division. 
"(5) The Tax Division. 
"(b) BRANCHES.—The divisions of the Superior Court may be 
divided into such branches as the Superior Court may by rule 
prescribe. 
"(c) DESIGNATION OF PRESIDING JUDGE OF FAMILY COURT.— 
The chief judge of the Superior Court shall designate one of the 
judges assigned to the Family Court of the Superior Court to 
serve as the presiding judge of the Family Court of the Superior 
Court. 
"(d) JURISDICTION DESCRIBED.—^The Family Court shall have 
original jurisdiction over the actions, applications, determinations, 
adjudications, and proceedings described in section 11-1101. 
Actions, applications, determinations, adjudications, 
and pro-
ceedings being assigned to cross-jurisdictional units established by 
the Superior Court, including the Domestic Violence Unit, on the 
date of enactment of this section may continue to be so assigned 
after the date of enactment of this section.". 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
115 STAT. 2101 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 9.—Section 11-
906(b), District of Columbia Code, is amended by inserting "the 
Family Court and" before "the various divisions". 
(c) 
CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 11.—(1) The 
heading for chapter 11 of title 11, District of Columbia, is amended 
by striking "FAMILY DIVISION" and inserting "FAMILY COURT". 
(2) The item relating to chapter 11 in the table of chapters 
for title 11, District of Columbia, is amended by striking "FAMILY 
DIVISION" and inserting "FAMILY COURT". 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 16.— 
(1) 
CALCULATION 
OF 
CHILD 
SUPPORT.—Section 
16-
916.1(o)(6), District of Columbia Code, is amended by striking 
"Family Division" and inserting "Family Court of the Superior 
Court". 
(2) EXPEDITED JUDICIAL HEARING OF CASES BROUGHT 
BEFORE HEARING COMMISSIONERS.—Section 16-924, District of 
Columbia Code, is amended by striking "Family Division" each 
place it appears in subsections (a) and (f) and inserting "Family 
Court". 
(3) GENERAL REFERENCES TO PROCEEDINGS.—Chapter 23 
of title 16, District of Columbia Code, is amended by inserting 
after section 16-2301 the following new section: 
"§ 16-2301.1. References deemed to refer to Family Court 
of the Superior Court 
"Any reference in this chapter or any other Federal or District 
of Columbia law. Executive order, rule, regulation, delegation of 
authority, or any document of or pertaining to the Family Division 
of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia shall be deemed 
to refer to the Family Court of the Superior Court of the District 
of Columbia.". 
(4) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—^The table of sections for sub-
chapter I of chapter 23 of title 16, District of Columbia, is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 16-
2301 the following new item: 
"16-2301.1. References deemed to refer to Family Court of the Superior Covu-t.". 
SEC. 3. APPOINTMENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES; NUMBER AND 
QUALIFICATIONS. 
(a) NUMBER OF JUDGES FOR FAMILY COURT; QUALIFICATIONS 
AND TERMS OF SERVICE.—Chapter 9 of title 11, District of Columbia 
Code, is amended by inserting after section 11-908 the following 
new section: 
*
*
§ 11-908A. Special rules regarding assignment and service 
of judges of Family Court 
"(a) NUMBER OF JUDGES.— 
"(1) IN GENERAL.—The number of judges serving on the 
Family Court of the Superior Court shall be not more than 
15. 
"(2) EMERGENCY REASSIGNMENT.—If the chief judge deter-
mines that, in order to carry out the intent and purposes 
of the District of Columbia Family Court Act of 2001, an emer-
gency exists such that the number of judges needed on the 
Family Court of the Superior Court at any time is more than 
15— 
115 STAT. 2102 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
"(A) the chief judge may temporarily reassign judges 
fromi other divisions of the Superior Court to serve on 
the Family Court who meet the requirements of paragraphs 
(1) and (3) of subsection (b) or senior judges who meet 
the 
requirements 
of those 
paragraphs, 
except 
such 
reassigned judges shall not be subject to the term of service 
requirements set forth in subsection (c); and 
"(B) the chief judge shall, within 30 days of emergency 
temporary reassignment pursuant to subparagraph (A), 
submit a report to the President and Congress describing— 
"(i) the nature of the emergency; 
"(ii) how the emergency was addressed, including 
which judges were reassigned; and 
"(iii) whether and why an increase in the number 
of Family Court judges authorized in subsection (a)( 1) 
may be necessary to serve the needs of families and 
children in the District of Columbia. 
"(3) COMPOSITION.—The total number of judges on the 
Superior Court may exceed the limit on such judges specified 
in section 11-903 to the extent necessary to maintain the 
requirements of this subsection if— 
"(A) the number of judges serving on the Family Court 
is less than 15; and 
"(B) the Chief Judge of the Superior Court— 
"(i) is unable to secure a volunteer judge who 
is sitting on the Superior Court outside of the Family 
Court for reassignment to the Family Court; 
"(ii) obtains approval of the Joint Committee on 
Judicial Administration; and 
"(iii) reports to Congress regarding the cir-
cumstances that gave rise to the necessity to exceed 
the cap. 
"(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—The chief judge may not assign an indi-
vidual to serve on the Family Court of the Superior Court or 
handle a Family Court case unless— 
"(1) the individual has training or expertise in family law; 
"(2) the individual certifies to the chief judge that the 
individual intends to serve the full term of service, except 
that this paragraph shall not apply with respect to individuals 
serving as senior judges under section 11-1504, individuals 
serving as temporary judges under section 11-908, and any 
other judge serving in another division of the Superior Court 
who is reassigned on an emergency temporary basis pursuant 
to subsection (a)(2); 
"(3) the individual certifies to the chief judge that the 
individual will participate in the ongoing training programs 
carried out for judges of the Family Court under section 11-
1104(c); and 
"(4) the individual meets the requirements of section 11-
1501(b). 
"(c) TERM OF SERVICE.— 
"(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
an individual assigned to serve as a judge of the Family Court 
of the Superior Court shall serve for a term of 5 years. 
"(2) SPECIAL RULE FOR JUDGES SERVING ON SUPERIOR COURT 
ON DATE OF ENACTMENT OF FAMILY COURT ACT OF 2001.— 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
115 STAT. 2103 
"(A) IN GENERAL.—^An individual assigned to serve as 
a judge of the Family Court of the Superior Court who 
is serving as a judge of the Superior Court on the date 
of the enactment of the District of Columbia Family Court 
Act of 2001 shall serve for a term of not fewer than 3 
years. 
"(B) 
REDUCTION OF PERIOD FOR JUDGES SERVING IN 
FAMILY DIVISION.—In the case of a judge of the Superior 
Court who is serving as a judge in the Family Division 
of the Court on the date of the enactment of the District 
of Columbia Family Court Act of 2001, the 3-year term 
applicable under subparagraph (A) shall be reduced by 
the length of any period of consecutive service as a judge 
in such Division immediately preceding the date of the 
enactment of such Act. 
"(3) ASSIGNMENT FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE.—After the term 
of service of a judge of the Family Court (as described in 
paragraph (1)) expires, at the judge's request and with the 
approval of the chief judge, the judge may be assigned for 
additional service on the Family Court for a period of such 
duration (consistent with section 431(c) of the District of 
Columbia Home Rule Act) as the chief judge may provide. 
"(4) 
PERMITTING SERVICE ON FAMILY COURT FOR ENTIRE 
TERM.—^At the request of the judge and with the approval 
of the chief judge, a judge may serve as a judge of the Family 
Court for the judge's entire term of service as a judge of 
the Superior Court under section 431(c) of the District of 
Columbia Home Rule Act. 
"(d) REASSIGNMENT TO OTHER DIVISIONS.—^The chief judge may 
reassign a judge of the Family Court to any division of the Superior 
Court if the chief judge determines that in the interest of justice 
the judge is unable to continue serving in the Family Court.". 
(b) PLAN FOR FAMILY COURT TRANSITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date Deadline, 
of the enactment of this Act, the chief judge of the Superior 
Court of the District of Columbia shall prepare and submit 
to the President and Congress a transition plan for the Family 
Court of the Superior Court, and shall include in the plan 
the following: 
(A) The chief judge's determination of the role and 
function of the presiding judge of the Family Court. 
(B) The chief judge's determination of the number of 
judges needed to serve on the Family Court. 
(C) The chief judge's determination of the number of 
magistrate judges of the Family Court needed for appoint-
ment under section 11-1732, District of Columbia Code. 
(D) The chief judge's determination of the appropriate 
functions of such magistrate judges, together with the com-
pensation of and other personnel matters pertaining to 
such magistrate judges. 
(E) A plan for case flow, case management, and staffing 
needs (including the needs for both judicial and nonjudicial 
personnel) for the Family Court, including a description 
of how the Superior Court will handle the one family, 
one judge requirement pursuant to section ll-1104(a) for 
all cases and proceedings assigned to the Family Court. 
115 STAT. 2104 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
(F) A plan for space, equipment, and other physical 
plant needs and requirements during the transition, as 
determined in consultation with the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services. 
(G) An analysis of the number of magistrate judges 
needed under the expedited appointment procedures estab-
lished under section 6(d) in reducing the number of pending 
actions and proceedings within the jurisdiction of the 
Family Court (as described in section ll-902(d). District 
of Columbia, as amended by subsection (a)). 
(H) Consistent with the requirements of paragraph 
(2), a proposal for the disposition or transfer to the Family 
Court of child abuse and neglect actions pending as of 
the date of enactment of this Act (which were initiated 
in the Family Division but remain pending before judges 
serving in other Divisions of the Superior Court as of 
such date) in a manner consistent with applicable Federal 
and District of Columbia law and best practices, including 
best practices developed by the American Bar Association 
and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court 
Judges. 
(I) An estimate of the number of cases for which the 
deadline for disposition or transfer to the Family Court, 
specified in paragraph (2)(B), cannot be met and the rea-
sons why such deadline cannot be met. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION OF T H E PLAN FOR TRANSFER OR DIS-
POSITION OF ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS TO FAMILY COURT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(C), the chief judge of the Superior Court and the presiding 
judge of the Family Court shall take such steps as may 
be required as provided in the proposal for disposition 
of actions and proceedings under paragraph (1)(H) to 
ensure that each child abuse and neglect action of the 
Superior Court (as described in section ll-902(d). District 
of Columbia Code, as amended by subsection (a)) is trans-
ferred to the Family Court or otherwise disposed of as 
provided in subparagraph (B). 
(B) DEADLINE.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of this Act or any amendment made by this Act 
and except as provided in subparagraph (C), no child 
abuse or neglect action shall remain pending with a 
judge not serving on the Family Court upon the expira-
tion of 18 months after the filing of the transition 
plan required under paragraph (1). 
(ii) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—The chief judge of 
the Superior Court should make every effort to provide 
for the earliest practicable disposition of actions. 
Nothing in this subparagraph shall preclude the imme-
diate transfer of cases to the Family Court, particularly 
cases which have been filed with the court for less 
than 6 months prior to the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(C) RETAINED CASES.—Child abuse and neglect cases 
that were initiated in the Family Division but remain 
pending before judges, including senior judges as defined 
in section 11-1504, District of Columbia Code, in other 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114—JAN. 8, 2002 
115 STAT. 2105 
Divisions of the Superior Court as of the date of enactment 
of this Act may remain before judges, including senior 
judges, in such other Divisions when— 
(i) the case remains at all times in full compliance 
with Public Law 105-89, if applicable; and 
(ii) 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 Family 
Court. 
(D) 
PRIORITY 
FOR 
CERTAIN 
ACTIONS 
AND 
PRO-
CEEDINGS.—The chief judge of the Superior Court, in con-
sultation with the presiding judge of the Family Court, 
shall give priority consideration to the disposition or 
transfer of the following actions and proceedings: 
(i) The action or proceeding involves an allegation 
of abuse or neglect. 
(ii) The action or proceeding was initiated in the 
family division prior to the 2-year period which ends 
on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(iii) The judge to whom the action or proceeding 
is assigned as of the date of enactment of this Act 
is not assigned to the Family Division. 
(E) PROGRESS REPORTS.—The chief judge of the Supe-
rior Court shall submit reports to the President, to the 
Committee on Appropriations of each House, the Com-
mittee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and the 
Committee on Government Reform of the House of Rep-
resentatives at 6-month intervals for a period of 2 years 
after the date of submission of the transition plan required 
under paragraph (1) on the progress made towards dis-
posing of actions or proceedings described in subparagraph 
(B). 
(F) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sub-
section shall preclude the chief judge, in consultation with 
the presiding judge of the Family Court, from transferring 
actions or proceedings pending before judges outside the 
Family Court at the enactment of this Act which do not 
involve allegations of abuse and neglect but which would 
otherwise fall under the jurisdiction of the Family Court 
to judges in the Family Court prior to the deadline as 
defined in subparagraph 2(B), particularly if such transfer 
would result in more efficient resolution of such actions 
or proceedings. 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN.—The 
chief judge of the Superior Court may not take any action 
to implement the transition plan under this subsection until 
the expiration of the 30-day period which begins on the date 
the chief judge submits the plan to the President and Congress 
under paragraph (1). 
(c) TRANSITION TO REQUIRED NUMBER OF JUDGES.— 
(1) ANALYSIS BY CHIEF JUDGE OF SUPERIOR COURT.—The 
chief judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia 
115 STAT. 2106 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-JAN. 8, 2002 
Deadline. 
shall include in the transition plan prepared under subsection 
(b)— 
(A) the chief judge's determination of the number of 
individuals serving as judges of the Superior Court who— 
(i) meet the qualifications for judges of the Family 
Court of the Superior Court under section 11-908A, 
District of Columbia Code (as added by subsection 
(a)); and 
(ii) are willing and able to serve on the Family 
Court; and 
(B) if the chief judge determines that the number of 
individuals described in subparagraph (A) is less than 15, 
a request that the Judicial Nomination Commission recruit 
and the President nominate (in accordance with section 
433 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act) such addi-
tional number of individuals to serve on the Superior Court 
who meet the qualifications for judges of the Family Court 
under section 11-908A, District of Columbia Code, as may 
be required to enable the chief judge to make the required 
number of assignments. 
(2) ROLE OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JUDICIAL NOMINATION 
COMMISSION.—For purposes of section 434(d)(1) of the District 
of Columbia Home Rule Act, the submission of a request from 
the chief judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia 
under paragraph (1)(B) shall be deemed to create a number 
of vacancies in the position of judge of the Superior Court 
equal to the number of additional appointments so requested 
by the chief judge, except that the deadline for the submission 
by the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission 
of nominees to fill such vacancies shall be 90 days after the 
creation of such vacancies. In carrying out this paragraph, 
the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission shall 
recruit individuals for possible nomination and appointment 
to the Superior Court who meet the qualifications for judges 
of the Family Court of the Superior Court. 
(d) REPORT BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
prepare and submit to Congress and the chief judge of the 
Superior Court of the District of Columbia a report on the 
implementation of this Act (including the implementation of 
the transition plan under subsection (b)), and shall include 
in the report the following: 
(A) An analysis of the procedures used to make the 
initial appointments of judges of the Family Court under 
this Act and the amendments made by this Act, including 
an analysis of the time required to make such appointments 
and the effect of the qualification requirements for judges 
of the Court (including requirements relating to the length 
of service on the Court) on the time required to make 
such appointments. 
(B) An analysis of the impact of magistrate judges 
for the Family Court (including the expedited initial 
appointment of magistrate judges for the Court under sec-
tion 6(d)) on the workload of judges and other personnel 
of the Court. 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-JAN. 8, 2002 
115 STAT. 2107 
(C) An analysis of the number of judges needed for 
the Family Court, including an analysis of how the number 
may be affected by the qualification requirements for 
judges, the availability of magistrate judges, and other 
provisions of this Act or the amendments made by this 
Act. 
(D) An analysis of the timeliness of the resolution 
and disposition of pending actions and proceedings required 
under the transition plan (as described in paragraphs (1)(I) 
and (2) of subsection (b)), including an analysis of the 
effect of the availability of magistrate judges on the time 
required to resolve and dispose of such actions and pro-
ceedings. 
(2) 
SUBMISSION TO CHIEF JUDGE OF SUPERIOR COURT.— 
Prior to submitting the report under paragraph (1) to Congress, 
the Comptroller General shall provide a preliminary version 
of the report to the chief judge of the Superior Court and 
shall take any comments and recommendations of the chief 
judge into consideration in preparing the final version of the 
report. 
(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The first sentence of section 
ll-908(a). District of Columbia Code, is amended by striking "The 
chief judge" and inserting "Subject to section 11-908A, the chief 
judge". 
(f) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter 
9 of title 11, District of Columbia Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 11-908 the following new item: 
"11-908A. Special rules regarding assignment and service of judges of Family 
Court.". 
SEC. 4. IMPROVING ADMINISTRATION OF CASES AND PROCEEDINGS 
IN FAMILY COURT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 11 of title 11, District of Columbia, 
is amended by striking section 1101 and inserting the following: 
"§ 11-1101. Jurisdiction of the Family Court 
"(a) IN GENERAL.—The Family Court of the District of Columbia 
shall be assigned and have original jurisdiction over— 
"(1) actions for divorce from the bond of marriage and 
legal separation from bed and board, including proceedings 
incidental thereto for alimony, pendente lite and permanent, 
and for support and custody of minor children; 
"(2) applications for revocation of divorce from bed and 
board; 
"(3) actions to enforce support of any person as required 
by law; 
"(4) actions seeking custody of minor children, including 
petitions for writs of habeas corpus; 
"(5) actions to declare marriages void; 
"(6) actions to declare marriages valid; 
"(7) actions for annulments of marriage; 
"(8) determinations and adjudications of property rights, 
both real and personal, in any action referred to in this section, 
irrespective of any jurisdictional limitation imposed on the 
Superior Court; 
"(9) proceedings in adoption; 
89-194 O - 03 - 2 QL 3 Part 3 
115 STAT. 2108 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
"(10) proceedings under the Act of July 10, 1957 (D.C. 
Code, sees. 30-301 to 30-324); 
"(11) proceedings to determine paternity of any child born 
out of wedlock; 
"(12) civil proceedings for protection involving intrafamily 
offenses, instituted pursuant to chapter 10 of title 16; 
"(13) proceedings in which a child, as defined in section 
16-2301, is alleged to be delinquent, neglected, or in need 
of supervision; 
"(14) proceedings under chapter 5 of title 21 relating to 
the commitment of the mentally ill; 
"(15) proceedings under chapter 13 of title 7 relating to 
the commitment of the at least moderately mentally retarded; 
and 
"(16) proceedings under Interstate Compact on Juveniles 
(described in title IV of the District of Columbia Court Reform 
and Criminal Procedure Act of 1970). 
"(b) DEFINITION.— 
"(1) IN GENERAL.—In this chapter, the term 'action or pro-
ceeding' with respect to the Family Court refers to cause of 
action described in paragraphs (1) through (16) of subsection 
(a). 
"(2) EXCEPTION.—^An action or proceeding may be assigned 
to or retained by cross-jurisdictional units established by the 
Superior Court, including the Domestic Violence Unit. 
"§ 11-1102. Use of alternative dispute resolution 
"To the greatest extent practicable and safe, cases and pro-
ceedings in the Family Court of the Superior Court shall be resolved 
through alternative dispute resolution procedures, in accordance 
with such rules as the Superior Court may promulgate. 
"§ 11-1103. Standards of practice for appointed counsel 
"The Superior Court shall establish standards of practice for 
attorneys appointed as counsel in the Family Court of the Superior 
Court. 
"§ 11-1104. Administration 
"(a) 'ONE FAMILY, ONE JUDGE' REQUIREMENT FOR CASES AND 
PROCEEDINGS.—To the greatest extent practicable, feasible, and 
lawful, if an individual who is a party to an action or proceeding 
assigned to the Family Court has an immediate family or household 
member who is a party to another action or proceeding assigned 
to the Family Court, the individual's action or proceeding shall 
be assigned to the same judge or magistrate judge to whom the 
immediate family member's action or proceeding is assigned. 
"(b) RETENTION OF JURISDICTION OVER CASES.— 
"(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the requirement of sub-
section (a), any action or proceeding assigned to the Family 
Court of the Superior Court shall remain under the jurisdiction 
of the Family Court until the action or proceeding is finally 
disposed, except as provided in paragraph (2)(D). 
"(2) ONE FAMILY, ONE JUDGE.— 
"(A) FOR THE DURATION.—An action or proceeding 
assigned pursuant to this subsection shall remain with 
the judge or magistrate judge in the Family Court to whom 
the action or proceeding is assigned for the duration of 
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 indi-
vidual 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 i
f
— 
"(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 knowl-
edge of the case that the judge might have, that permit-
ting the judge to retain the case would lead to perma-
nent placement of the child more quickly than reassign-
ment 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. 
115 STAT. 2110 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
"(d) ACCESSIBILITY OF MATERIALS, SERVICES, AND PROCEEDINGS; 
PROMOTION OF TAMILY-FRIENDLY' ENVIRONMENT.— 
"(1) IN GENERAL.—To the greatest extent practicable, the 
chief judge and the presiding judge of the Family Court shall 
ensure that the materials and services provided by the Family 
Court are understandable and accessible to the individuals 
and families served by the Family Court, and that the Family 
Court carries out its -duties in a manner which reflects the 
special needs of families with children. 
"(2) LOCATION OF PROCEEDINGS.—To the maximum extent 
feasible, safe, and practicable, cases and proceedings in the 
Family Court shall be conducted at locations readily accessible 
to the parties involved. 
"(e) INTEGRATED COMPUTERIZED CASE TRACKING AND MANAGE-
MENT SYSTEM.—The Executive Officer of the District of Columbia 
courts under section 11-1703 shall work with the chief judge of 
the Superior Court— 
"(1) to ensure that all records and materials of cases and 
proceedings in the Family Court are stored and maintained 
in electronic format accessible by computers for the use of 
judges, magistrate judges, and nonjudicial personnel of the 
Family Court, and for the use of other appropriate offices 
of the District government in accordance with the plan for 
integrating computer systems prepared by the Mayor of the 
District of Columbia under section 4(b) of the District of 
Columbia Family Court Act of 2001; 
"(2) to establish and operate an electronic tracking and 
management system for cases and proceedings in the Family 
Court for the use of judges and nonjudicial personnel of the 
Family Court, using the records and materials stored and main-
tained pursuant to paragraph (1); and 
"(3) to expand such system to cover all divisions of the 
Superior Court as soon as practicable. 
"§ 11-1105. Social services and other related services 
"(a) ONSITE COORDINATION OF SERVICES AND INFORMATION.— 
"(1) IN GENERAL.—The Mayor of the District of Columbia, 
in consultation with the chief judge of the Superior Court, 
shall ensure that representatives of the appropriate offices of 
the District government which provide social services and other 
related services to individuals and families served by the Family 
Court (including the District of Columbia Public Schools, the 
District of Columbia Housing Authority, the Child and Family 
Services Agency, the Office of the Corporation Counsel, the 
Metropolitan Police Department, the Department of Health, 
and other offices determined by the Mayor) are available on-
site at the Family Court to coordinate the provision of such 
services and information regarding such services to such 
individuals and families. 
"(2) DUTIES OF HEADS OF OFFICES.—The head of each office 
described in paragraph (1), including the Superintendent of 
the District of Columbia Public Schools and the Director of 
the District of Columbia Housing Authority, shall provide the 
Mayor with such information, assistance, and services as the 
Mayor may require to carry out such paragraph. 
"(b) APPOINTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES LIAISON WITH FAMILY 
COURT.—^The Mayor of the District of Columbia shall appoint an 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114—JAN. 8, 2002 
115 STAT. 2111 
individual to serve as a liaison between the Family Court and 
the District government for purposes of subsection (a) and for 
coordinating the delivery of services provided by the District govern-
ment with the activities of the Family Court and for providing 
information to the judges, magistrate judges, and nonjudicial per-
sonnel of the Family Court regarding the services available from 
the District government to the individuals and families served 
by the Family Court. The Mayor shall provide on an ongoing basis 
information to the chief judge of the Superior Court and the pre-
siding judge of the Family Court regarding the services of the 
District government which are available for the individuals and 
families served by the Family Court. 
"§ 11-1106. Reports to Congress 
"Not later than 90 days after the end of each calendar year. Deadline, 
the chief judge of the Superior Court shall submit a report to 
Congress on the activities of the Family Court during the year, 
and shall include in the report the following: 
"(1) The chief judge's assessment of the productivity and 
success of the use of alternative dispute resolution pursuant 
to section 11-1102. 
"(2) Goals and timetables as required by the Adoption 
and Safe Families Act of 1997 to improve the Family Court's 
performance in the following year. 
"(3) Information on the extent to which the Family Court 
met deadlines and standards applicable under Federal and 
District of Columbia law to the review and disposition of actions 
and proceedings under the Family Court's jurisdiction during 
the year. 
"(4) Information on the progress made in establishing loca-
tions and appropriate space for the Family Court that are 
consistent with the mission of the Family Court until such 
time as the locations and space are established. 
"(5) Information on any factors which are not under the 
control of the Family Court which interfere with or prevent 
the Family Court from carrying out its responsibilities in the 
most effective manner possible. 
"(6) Information on— 
"(A) the number of judges serving on the Family Court 
as of the end of the year; 
"(B) how long each such judge has served on the Family 
Court; 
"(C) the number of cases retained outside the Family 
Court; 
"(D) the number of reassignments to and from the 
Family Court; and 
"(E) the ability to recruit qualified sitting judges to 
serve on the Family Court. 
"(7) Based on outcome measures derived through the use 
of the information stored in electronic format under section 
11-1104(d), an analysis of the Family Court's efficiency and 
effectiveness in managing its case load during the year, 
including an analysis of the time required to dispose of actions 
and proceedings among the various categories of the Family 
Court's jurisdiction, as prescribed by applicable law and best 
practices, including (but not limited to) best practices developed 
115 STAT. 2112 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
by the American Bar Association and the National Council 
of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. 
"(8) If the Family Court failed to meet the deadlines, stand-
ards, and outcome measures described in the previous para-
graphs, a proposed remedial action plan to address the failure.". 
(b) EXPEDITED APPEALS FOR CERTAIN FAMILY COURT ACTIONS 
AND PROCEEDINGS.—Section 11-721, District of Columbia Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
"(g) Any appeal from an order of the Family Court of the 
District of Columbia terminating parental rights or granting or 
denying a petition to adopt shall receive expedited review by the 
District of Columbia Court of Appeals.". 
(c) PLAN FOR INTEGRATING COMPUTER SYSTEMS.— 
Deadline. 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Mayor of the District of 
Columbia shall submit to the President and Congress a plan 
for integrating the computer systems of the District government 
with the computer systems of the Superior Court of the District 
of Columbia so that the Family Court of the Superior Court 
and the appropriate offices of the District government which 
provide social services and other related services to individuals 
and families served by the Family Court of the Superior Court 
(including the District of Columbia Public Schools, the District 
of Columbia Housing Authority, the Child and Family Services 
Agency, the Office of the Corporation Counsel, the Metropolitan 
Police Department, the Department of Health, and other offices 
determined by the Mayor) will be able to access and share 
information on the individuals and families served by the 
Family Court. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are author-
ized to be appropriated to the Mayor of the District of Columbia 
such sums as may be necessary to carry out paragraph (1). 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter 
11 of title 11, District of Columbia Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new items: 
"11-1102. Use of alternative dispute resolution. 
"11-1103. Standards of practice for appointed counsel. 
"11-1104. Administration. 
"11-1105. Social services and other related services. 
"11-1106. Reports to Congress.". 
SEC. 5. TREATMENT OF HEARING COMMISSIONERS AS MAGISTRATE 
JUDGES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) REDESIGNATION OF TITLE.—Section 11-1732, District 
of Columbia Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking "hearing commissioners" each place it 
appears in subsection (a), subsection (b), subsection (d), 
subsection (i), subsection (1), and subsection (n) and 
inserting "magistrate judges"; 
(B) by striking "hearing commissioner" each place it 
appears in subsection (b), subsection (c), subsection (e), 
subsection (f), subsection (g), subsection (h), and subsection 
(j) and inserting "magistrate judge"; 
(C) by striking "hearing commissioner's" each place 
it appears in subsection (e) and subsection (k) and inserting 
"magistrate judge's"; 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-JAN. 8, 2002 
115 STAT. 2113 
(D) by striking "Hearing commissioners" each place 
it appears in subsections (b), (d), and (i) and inserting 
"Magistrate judges"; and 
(E) in the heading, by striking "Hearing commis-
sioners" and inserting "Magistrate judges". 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 16-924, District 
of Columbia Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking "hearing commissioner" each place it 
appears and inserting "magistrate judge"; and 
(B) in subsection (f), by striking "hearing commis-
sioner's" and inserting "magistrate judge's". 
(3) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The item relating to section 
11-1732 of the table of sections of chapter 17 of title 11, 
B.C. Code, is amended to read as follows: 
"11-1732. Magistrate judges.". 
(b) 
TRANSITION 
PROVISION REGARDING HEARING 
COMMIS-
SIONERS.—^Any individual serving as a hearing commissioner under 
section 11-1732 of the District of Columbia Code as of the date 
of the enactment of this Act shall serve the remainder of such 
individual's term as a magistrate judge, and may be reappointed 
as a magistrate judge in accordance with section 11-1732(d), Dis-
trict of Columbia Code, except that any individual serving as a 
hearing commissioner as of the date of the enactment of this Act 
who was appointed as a hearing commissioner prior to the effective 
date of section 11-1732 of the District of Columbia Code shall 
not be required to be a resident of the District of Columbia to 
be eligible to be reappointed. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 6. SPECIAL RULES FOR MAGISTRATE JUDGES OF FAMILY COURT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 17 of title 11, District of Columbia 
Code, is amended by inserting after section 11-1732 the following 
new section: 
"§ 11-1732A. Special rules for magistrate judges of the Family 
Court of the Superior Court and the Domestic 
Violence Unit 
"(a) USE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN ADVISORY MERIT SELECTION 
PANEL.—The advisory selection merit panel used in the selection 
of magistrate judges for the Family Court of the Superior Court 
under section 11-1732(b) shall include certified social workers 
specializing in child welfare matters who are residents of the Dis-
trict and who are not employees of the District of Columbia Courts. 
"(b) SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS.—Notwithstanding section 11-
1732(c), no individual shall be appointed or assigned as a magistrate 
judge for the Family Court of the Superior Court or as a magistrate 
judge for the Domestic Violence Unit handling actions or pro-
ceedings which would otherwise be under the jurisdiction of the 
Family Court unless that individual— 
"(1) is a citizen of the United States; 
"(2) is an active member of the unified District of Columbia 
Bar; 
"(3) for the 5 years immediately preceding the appointment 
has been engaged in the active practice of law in the District, 
has been on the faculty of a law school in the District, or 
115 STAT. 2114 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114~JAN. 8, 2002 
Certification. 
Deadline. 
has been employed as a lawyer by the United States or District 
government, or any combination thereof; 
"(4) has not fewer than 3 years of training or experience 
in the practice of family law as a lawyer or judicial officer; 
and 
"(5)(A) is a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia 
and has maintained an actual place of abode in the District 
for at least 90 days immediately prior to appointment, and 
retains such residency during service as a magistrate judge; 
or 
"(B) is a bona fide resident of the areas consisting of 
Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland, 
Arlington and Fairfax Counties, and the City of Alexandria 
in Virginia, has maintained an actual place of abode in such 
area, areas, or the District of Columbia for at least 5 years 
prior to appointment, and certifies that the individual will 
become a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia not 
later than 90 days after appointment. 
"(c) SERVICE OF CURRENT HEARING COMMISSIONERS.—Those 
individuals serving as hearing commissioners under section 11-
1732 on the effective date of this section who meet the qualifications 
described in subsection (b)(4) may request to be appointed as mag-
istrate judges for the Family Court of the Superior Court under 
such section. 
"(d) FUNCTIONS OF FAMILY COURT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 
UNIT MAGISTRATES.—^A magistrate judge, when specifically des-
ignated by the chief judge in consultation with the appropriate 
presiding judge to serve in the Family Court or in the Domestic 
Violence Unit and subject to the rules of the Superior Court and 
the right of review under section ll-1732(k), may perform the 
following functions: 
"(1) Administer oaths and affirmations and take acknowl-
edgements. 
"(2) Subject to the rules of the Superior Court and 
applicable Federal and District of Columbia law, conduct 
hearings, make findings and enter interim and final orders 
or judgments in uncontested or contested proceedings within 
the jurisdiction of the Family Court and the Domestic Violence 
Unit of the Superior Court (as described in section 11-1101), 
excluding jury trials and trials of felony cases, as assigned 
by the appropriate presiding judge. 
"(3) Subject to the rules of the Superior Court, enter an 
order punishing an individual for contempt, except that no 
individual may be detained pursuant to the authority of this 
paragraph for longer than 180 days. 
"(e) LOCATION OF PROCEEDINGS.—To the maximum extent fea-
sible, safe, and practicable, magistrate judges of the Family Court 
of the Superior Court shall conduct proceedings at locations readily 
accessible to the parties involved. 
"(f) TRAINING.—The chief judge, in consultation with the pre-
siding judge of the Family Court of the Superior Court, shall ensure 
that all magistrate judges of the Family Court receive training 
to enable them to fulfill their responsibilities, including specialized 
training in family law and related matters.". 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—(1) Section 11-1732(a), Dis-
trict of Columbia Code, is amended by inserting after "the duties 
enumerated in subsection (j) of this section" the following: "(or, 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
115 STAT. 2115 
in the case of magistrate judges for the Family Court or the 
Domestic Violence Unit of the Superior Court, the duties enumer-
ated in section ll-1732A(d))". 
(2) Section ll-1732(c), District of Columbia Code, is amended 
by striking "No individual" and inserting "Except as provided in 
section ll-1732A(b), no individual". 
(3) Section ll-1732(k). District of Columbia Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking "subsection (j)," and inserting the following: 
"subsection (j) (or proceedings and hearings under section 11-
1732A(d), in the case of magistrate judges for the Family Court 
or the Domestic Violence Unit of the Superior Court),"; and 
(B) by inserting after "appropriate division" the following: 
"(or, in the case of an order or judgment of a magistrate 
judge of the Family Court or the Domestic Violence Unit of 
the Superior Court, by a judge of the Family Court or the 
Domestic Violence Unit)". 
(4) Section 11-1732(1), District of Columbia Code, is amended 
by inserting after "responsibilities" the following: "(subject to the 
requirements of section ll-1732A(f) in the case of magistrate judges 
of the Family Court of the Superior Court or the Domestic Violence 
Unit)". 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for subchapter 
II of chapter 17 of title 11, District of Columbia, is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 11-1732 the following 
new item: 
"11-1732A. Special rules for magistrate judges of the Family Court of the Superior 
Court and the Domestic Violence Unit.". 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) EXPEDITED INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the Deadline, 
date of enactment of this Act, the chief judge of the Superior 
Court of the District of Columbia shall appoint individuals 
to serve as magistrate judges for the Family Division of 
the Superior Court in accordance with the requirements 
of sections 11-1732 and 11-1732A, District of Columbia 
Code (as added by subsection (a)), for the purpose of 
assisting with the implementation of the transition plan 
under section 3(b) of this Act, and in particular with the 
transition or disposal of actions or proceedings pursuant 
to section 3(b)(2) of this Act. 
(B) 
TRANSITION 
RESPONSIBILITIES 
OF 
INITIALLY 
APPOINTED FAMILY COURT MAGISTRATES.—The chief j u d g e 
of the Superior Court and the presiding judge of the Family 
Division of the Superior Court (acting jointly) shall first 
assign the magistrate judges of Family Court appointed 
under this paragraph to work with judges to whom the 
cases are currently assigned in making case disposition 
or transfer decisions as follows: 
(i) The action or proceeding involves an allegation 
of abuse or neglect. 
(ii) The judge to whom the action or proceeding 
is assigned as of the date of enactment of this Act 
is not assigned to the Family Division. 
115 STAT. 2116 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
(iii) The action or proceeding was initiated in the 
Family Division prior to the 2-year period which ends 
on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(C) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sub-
section shall be construed to preclude magistrate judges 
appointed pursuant to this subsection from performing 
upon appointment any or all of the functions of magistrate 
judges of the Family Court or Domestic Violence Unit as 
set forth in subsection ll-1732A(d). 
SEC. 7. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING BORDER AGREEMENT WITH 
MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA. 
It is the sense of Congress that the State of Maryland, the 
Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia should 
promptly enter into a border agreement to facilitate the timely 
and safe placement of children in the District of Columbia's welfare 
system in foster and kinship homes and other facilities in Maryland 
and Virginia. 
SEC. 8. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE USE OF COURT 
APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES. 
It is the sense of the Senate that the chief judge of the Superior 
Court and the presiding judge of the Family Division should take 
all steps necessary to encourage, support, and improve the use 
of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in family court actions 
or proceedings. 
SEC. 9. INTERIM REPORTS. 
Deadline. 
Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the chief judge of the Superior Court and the presiding judge 
of the Family Court— 
(1) in consultation with the General Services Administra-
tion, shall submit to Congress a feasibility study for the 
construction, lease, or acquisition of appropriate permanent 
courts and facilities for the Family Court; and 
(2) shall submit to Congress an analysis of the success 
of the use of magistrate judges under the expedited appoint-
ment procedures established under section 6(d) in reducing 
the number of pending actions and proceedings within the 
jurisdiction of the Family Court (as described in section 11-
902(d), District of Columbia). 
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRLVTIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Courts of the 
District of Columbia and the District of Columbia such sums as 
may be necessary to carry out the amendments made by this 
Act. 
PUBLIC LAW 107-114-^AN. 8, 2002 
115 STAT. 2117 
SEC. 11. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
The amendments made by this Act shall take effect upon enact-
ment of this Act. 
Approved January 8, 2002. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2657 (S. 1382): 
SENATE REPORTS: Nos. 107-107 accompanying S. 1382 and 107-108 (both from 
Comm. on Governmental Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 147 (2001): 
Sept. 20, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 14, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Dec. 19, House concurred in Senate amendment.