1. (a) A former judge qualified under section 2(a) of this chapter who wishes to serve as a private judge must register with the executive director of the division of state court administration. The executive director shall:

   1. (1) compile;
   2. (2) periodically update; and

   3. (3) make available to the public;

      a list of registered former judges.

2. (b) If the parties to an action wish to have the action heard before a private judge, the parties shall submit to the executive director of the division of state court administration a written petition as described in section 2(b)(1) of this chapter. After verifying that the former judge is qualified under section 2(a) of this chapter and is registered under subsection (a), the executive director shall forward the petition to the former judge named on the petition.

3. (c) The regular or presiding judge of the court in which the action is filed shall appoint the private judge to hear the action if the written petition of the parties to the action and the written consent of the private judge to hear the action is presented to the regular or presiding judge:

   1. (1) contemporaneously with the filing of the action; or

   2. (2) after the action has been filed.

      [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-15-3.]

As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.