IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR PASCO AND PINELLAS COUNTIES, FLORIDA

 

                                    ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2007-017 PA/PI-CIR

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RE:     DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES EXAMINING COMMITTEES

            GUARDIANSHIP EXAMINING COMMITTEES

 

Section 393.11, Florida Statutes provides for the appointment of members of Developmental Disabilities Examining Committees.  Section 744.331, Florida Statutes provides for the appointment of members of Guardianship Examining Committees.  The uniform compensation of the professionals appointed to serve on both of those committees has been set in Administrative Order No. PA/PI-CIR-02-69.  In order to obtain more physicians willing to serve on these committees in both Pasco and Pinellas Counties, and to obtain more members willing to serve on these committees in Dade City, the fees set in Administrative Order No. PA/PI‑CIR‑02‑69 needs updating.  Pursuant to Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215, the Chief Judge has the authority to adopt administrative orders necessary to administer properly the court’s affairs.  Accordingly, it is:

               

ORDERED:

 

            1.         Except as otherwise provided herein, each member of a Developmental Disabilities Examining Committee or a Guardianship Examining Committee has agreed to and shall be compensated at the following rates for reports.  These rates are per case and include the review of documents, testing or examination, writing report(s), telephonic testimony, and travel other than travel to a scheduled court hearing or deposition:

 

            For service on a committee in:  West Pasco County                  East Pasco

                                                                        & Pinellas County                     County

                                                                               

            Florida licensed Physician,

            Psychiatrist or Psychologist                        $375                                   $425

 

            All other members                                     $175                                   $225

 

 

            2.         In the event a Florida licensed physician, psychiatrist or psychologist is called to court to testify, the member will be paid $150 per hour for in-court testimony.  All other members called to court to testify will be paid $75 per hour for in-court testimony.  These fees are in addition to any fees the member may have received under paragraph 1.

 

            3.         Any committee member called to testify before a court or for a deposition may receive $60 per hour, not to exceed one (1) hour, for time spent waiting to testify or for preparation to testify prior to the court appearance or deposition.  For travel to and from court or a deposition, such committee member may also receive $50 per hour for travel time, not to exceed two (2) hours.  These fees are in addition to the member’s fee received under paragraphs 1 and 2.

            4.         Physicians will be compensated the appropriate fee specified in paragraph 1 for services provided in a Suggestion of Capacity proceeding.  That fee includes the review of documents, testing or examination of the ward, writing report(s), telephonic testimony, and travel other than travel to a scheduled court hearing or deposition.

 

            5.         Appointments to cases shall be made on a rotation basis.  Committee members may be required to attend training sessions as determined by the Chief Judge or his or her designee.  Any person agreeing to provide services to the court pursuant to this order shall at all times meet any training or other requirements that may be established by law or court order.  All members providing services on a Guardianship Examining Committee or Developmental Disabilities Examining Committee must be under contract to provide service to the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

 

            6.         Any person providing services on a Developmental Disabilities Examining Committee under § 393.11 Florida Statutes, or providing services on a Guardianship Examining Committee under § 744.331 Florida Statutes, as a professional that is licensed by the State of Florida, shall maintain his or her license in good standing with the State of Florida.   Each person shall promptly notify the Chief Judge in writing of any formal complaint filed by any regulatory agency or professional association and of any non-confidential consent agreement entered into between the professional and any regulatory agency or professional association.

 

            7.         This Administrative Order is effective on April 1, 2007.  The fees in this Administrative Order apply to all services provided by committee members on or after April 1, 2007, regardless of the date of appointment to a committee.  On April 1, 2007, Administrative Order No. PA/PI-CIR-02-69 is hereby rescinded. 

           

            DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida this  _______ day of March, 2007.

 

                                                                                                ______________________________

                                                                                                David A. Demers, Chief Judge

 

cc:        All Judges

            The Honorable Bernie McCabe, State Attorney

            The Honorable Bob Dillinger, Public Defender

            The Honorable Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pinellas County

            The Honorable Jed Pittman, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pasco County

            Betty Henderson, Assistant Court Services Director, Pasco County Clerk’s Office

            Carol Heath, Executive Director, Pinellas County Clerk’s Office

            Gay L. Inskeep, Trial Courts Administrator

            Bar Associations, Pasco and Pinellas County

            Law Libraries, Pasco and Pinellas County