1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the juvenile court or the chief judge of the judicial district may appoint any person to act as a master of the juvenile court if the person is qualified by previous experience, training and demonstrated interest in the welfare of children to act as a master of the juvenile court.
2. A probation officer shall not act as a master of the juvenile court unless the proceeding concerns:
(a) A minor traffic offense;
(b) An offense related to tobacco; or
(c) A child who is alleged to be a habitual truant.
3. If a person is appointed to act as a master of the juvenile court, the person shall attend instruction at the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in Reno, Nevada, in a course designed for the training of new judges of the juvenile court on the first occasion when such instruction is offered after the person is appointed.
4. If, for any reason, a master of the juvenile court is unable to act, the juvenile court or the chief judge of the judicial district may appoint another qualified person to act temporarily as a master of the juvenile court during the period that the master who is regularly appointed is unable to act.
5. The compensation of a master of the juvenile court:
(a) May not be taxed against the parties.
(b) Must be paid out of appropriations made for the expenses of the district court, if the compensation is fixed by the juvenile court.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 1027; A 2013, 1526)