1. A. Any judge who is assigned to hear juvenile cases in counties having a population in excess of one hundred thousand (100,000) may appoint a suitable person or persons to act as referee or referees, to hold office at the pleasure of the judge. Such referees shall be lawyers and shall be specially qualified for their duties. The judge may direct that any case, or all cases of a class or within a county to be designated by the judge, shall be heard in the first instance by a referee in the manner provided for the hearing of cases by the court. Upon the conclusion of the hearing in each case, the referee shall transmit to the court all papers relating to the case, together with the referee's findings of fact and conclusions of law, and recommendations in writing.
2. B. Notice of the referee's findings and recommendations shall be given to the parent, guardian or custodian of the child, the child's attorney, guardian ad litem or court-appointed special advocate, foster parent or to any other person concerned whose case has been heard by the referee. A hearing by the court shall be allowed upon the filing with the court of a request for such hearing, if the request is filed within three (3) days after the service of such notice. In case no hearing by the court is requested, the findings and recommendations of the referee, when confirmed by an order of the court, shall become the decree of the court.

Added by Laws 1968, SB 446, c. 282, § 126, eff. January 13, 1969; Amended by Laws 1995, HB 1978, c. 352, § 45, emerg. eff. July 1, 1995; Renumbered from 10 O.S. § 1126 by Laws 1995, HB 1978, c. 352, § 199, emerg. eff. July 1, 1995; Amended by Laws 1999, HB 1280, c. 396, § 10, emerg. eff. June 10, 1999 (superseded document available).