IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR HARDEE, HIGHLANDS AND POLK COUNTIES, FLORIDA

IN RE: ESTABLISHMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT

ENFORCEMENT HEARING OFFICER

WHEREAS the United States Congress enacted P.L. 93 647 in 1975 to establish Title IV-D (IV-D) of the Social Security Act, thereby creating the Child Support Enforcement Program; and

WHEREAS certain laws of Florida establish obligations for timely child support enforcement; and

WHEREAS Rule 12.491, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, provides for the appointment of a Child Support Enforcement Hearing Officer (Hearing Officer); and

WHEREAS the Supreme Court of Florida has entered an Administrative Order, dated February 25, 1998, invoking the provisions of Rule 12.491 for both IV-D and non-IV-D proceedings for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of child support in this circuit; and

WHEREAS the interests of the public, the litigants, and the judiciary require a flexible and speedy system for resolution of proceedings involving the establishment, modification and enforcement of child support; and

WHEREAS a majority of the judges of the circuit court have voted to appoint the Hearing Officer as a general magistrate for the Family Division as provided for in Rule 12.490, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, to serve as ordered by the chief judge; it is therefore

ORDERED:

There is hereby created the position of Child Support Enforcement Hearing Officer (Hearing Officer). The chief judge shall appoint one or more Hearing Officers pursuant to the procedures established by Rule 12.491. The Hearing Officer shall serve under the direction of the chief judge as the court’s representative in all proceedings for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of child support wherein the party seeking support is receiving services pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act and also to non-Title IV-D proceedings as directed by the chief judge.

Joanna Conner, Susan Barber-Flood, Robin Matis-Jackson, Sheryl Snodgrass, Amanda Traweek and Maria Zucker are hereby appointed as Hearing Officers pursuant to the provisions described herein.

Administrative Order No. 5-31.4, entered December 15, 2004, is hereby VACATED.

DONE AND ORDERED on this 18th day of January 2008, nunc pro tunc to March 1, 2006.

________________________________

J. DAVID LANGFORD

Chief Judge