| (a) In accordance with Texas Family Code, §153.601(3),
"parenting coordinator" means an impartial third party:
(1) who, regardless of the title by which the person
is designated by the court, performs any function described in Texas
Family Code, §153.606, in a suit; and
(2) who:
(A) is appointed under Texas Family Code, Chapter 153,
Subchapter K (relating to Parenting Plan, Parenting Coordinator, and
Parenting Facilitator) by the court on its own motion or on a motion
or agreement of the parties to assist parties in resolving parenting
issues through confidential procedures; and
(B) is not appointed under another statute or a rule
of civil procedure.
(b) A licensee who serves as a parenting coordinator
has a duty to provide the following information in writing to the
parties of the suit about the responsibility of the licensee and the
role of the appointed court.
(1) A licensee, who serves as a parenting coordinator,
is not acting under the authority of a license issued by the Council
and is not engaged in the practice of professional counseling. The
services provided by the licensee who serves as a parenting coordinator
are not within the jurisdiction of the Council, but rather the jurisdiction
of the appointing court.
(2) Records of a licensee serving as a parenting coordinator
are confidential under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, §154.073.
Licensees serving as a confidential parenting coordinator must comply
with the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 154.
(3) A licensee must not provide professional counseling
services to any person while simultaneously providing parenting coordination
services. This section does not apply if the court enters a finding
that mental health services are not readily available in the location
where the parties reside.
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