Sec. 45a-8d. Employment of a family specialist by a Probate Court or Regional Children's Probate Court. Duties of family specialist.

(b) If authorized by the Probate Court Budget Committee, a Regional Children's Probate Court or a Probate Court that is not located in a region served by a Regional Children's Probate Court may employ a family specialist. A family specialist employed by a Probate Court may, with the consent of the Probate Court judge, perform functions under this section for another Probate Court that is not located in a region served by a Regional Children's Probate Court.

(c) A family specialist may perform any of the following functions in connection with children's matters, as defined in subsection (a) of section 45a-8a :

(1) Conduct conferences with interested parties, attorneys for interested parties, representatives from the Department of Children and Families and social service providers, when appropriate;

(2) Facilitate the development of the family's plan for the care of the minor;

(3) Facilitate the development of a visitation plan;

(4) Coordinate with the Department of Children and Families to facilitate a thorough review of the matter being heard;

(5) Assess whether the family's plan for the care of the minor, if any, is in the minor's best interests;

(6) Assist the family in accessing community services; and

(7) Conduct follow-up regarding orders of the court.

(d) The family specialist may file with the court a report that may include:

(1) An assessment of the minor's and family's history;

(2) An assessment of the parent's and any proposed guardian's involvement with the minor;

(3) Information regarding the physical, social and emotional status of the interested parties;

(4) An assessment of the family's plan for the care of the minor; and

(5) Any other information or data that is relevant to determine if the proposed court action is in the best interests of the minor.

(e) Any report filed by a family specialist pursuant to subsection (d) of this section shall be admissible in evidence. If a party or an attorney for a party notifies the court prior to a scheduled hearing that such party or attorney wishes to examine the family specialist who filed the report, the court shall order such family specialist to appear at the hearing.