Upon referral by the juvenile court, a Judicial Hearing Officer shall have the following powers and duties:

   (A) A Judicial Hearing Officer shall have the power to preside upon, hear, and determine any proceeding under the Nebraska Juvenile Code, which does not include proceedings brought under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-6903.

   (B) A Judicial Hearing Officer shall have the power to administer all necessary oaths, supervise pretrial preparation pursuant to the rules of discovery, grant continuances and adjournments, recommend the appointment of counsel for indigent parties, recommend the appointment of a guardian ad litem for minor children, and carry out any other duties permitted by law, the Nebraska Supreme Court Rules, or as directed by the Supreme Court.

   (C) Consistent with a Judicial Hearing Officer’s power to preside upon, hear, and determine proceedings as provided in subsection (A), the functions of a Judicial Hearing Officer shall, at a minimum, include the following:

   (1) Taking testimony and establishing and preserving a record;

   (2) Evaluating evidence, making findings of fact and/or law, making recommendations, and establishing and enforcing orders;

   (3) Issuing summons and enforcing the attendance of parties; and

   (4) Actions presided by, heard by, or determined by a Judicial Hearing Officer shall be completed in accordance with all Nebraska Supreme Court Rules, including, but not limited to, Neb. Ct. R. § 6-104.

   (D) If any proceeding involves complex issues which requires judicial resolution, the Judicial Hearing Officer, after consultation with and permission from the county or juvenile judge (judge), may transfer the matter back to the judge, or the judge may transfer the case back to his or her docket at his or her discretion.