Continuing Education for Dependency Juvenile Court Hearing Officers
Once the initial six hours of instruction have been completed, a hearing officer must thereafter complete six hours of instruction in juvenile dependency law, policy, or related social science research designed by the Office of Children and Families in the Courts every two years. Pa.R.J.C.P. 1182(B). These requirements are in addition to the Pennsylvania Rules of Continuing Legal Education, as the mandate is for specific training in juvenile dependency law. The credit hours received count towards the total credits required under the Continuing Legal Education requirements.
Juvenile Court Hearing Officer Education Sessions
The Office of Children and Families in the Courts provides semi-annual training to dependency hearing officers. The State Roundtable’s Juvenile Court Hearing Officer Education Committee assists in developing the hearing officer education sessions.
Each session includes six hours of instruction to meet the Pa.R.J.C.P. 1182(B) requirement. To learn more about the Hearing Officer Education Committee, click here.
The hearing officer shall submit a new affidavit every two years attesting that the continuing education requirements of Pa.R.J.C.P. 1182(B) have been met. Pa.R.J.C.P. 1182(C)(3). Click here to download an affidavit template.