Order Prohibiting Visitation Unless Recommended by Therapist Improper

The Third Department affirmed Family Court’s neglect finding but determined the order prohibiting visitation unless recommended by a therapist improperly delegated the court’s authority to make determinations in the best interests of the child:

…[W]e find merit to respondent’s argument that Family Court’s order prohibiting visitation except “as therapeutically recommended or attendance at therapy with [the child] as recommended by a therapist after review by . . . Family Court” constitutes an improper delegation of the court’s authority to make determinations on the issue of the best interests of the child … .  Although the record contains some indication that Family Court recognized and attempted to avoid this delegation, the order failed to require further review unless triggered by the therapist, and did not direct the child to attend therapy with respondent unless recommended by the therapist.  As the order thus makes the recommendation of a therapist a prerequisite for any visitation, we find that there was an improper delegation of the court’s authority, and the matter is therefore remitted to Family Court for further proceedings regarding the issue of visitation… . Matters of Alisia M…, 515188, 3rd Dept 10-17-13