HF 2318

1st Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/18/2019 03:46pm

A bill for an act
relating to family law; establishing a family law mediation task force.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin FAMILY LAW MEDIATION TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The Family Law Mediation Task Force is established
(1) to advise and inform the legislature on the impact of conflict on children during the
marital dissolution process and (2) to make conflict resolution recommendations to reduce
that conflict.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force consists of:
new text end

new text begin (1) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the
house and one appointed by the minority leader;
new text end

new text begin (2) two members of the senate, one appointed by the majority leader and one appointed
by the minority leader;
new text end

new text begin (3) one representative from the Family Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar
Association;
new text end

new text begin (4) one representative from the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Minnesota
State Bar Association;
new text end

new text begin (5) one representative from the Academy of Professional Family Mediators;
new text end

new text begin (6) one representative from the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts;
new text end

new text begin (7) one representative from Conflict Resolution Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (8) one representative from the Minnesota Psychological Association;
new text end

new text begin (9) one representative from the Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family Therapists;
new text end

new text begin (10) one representative from the Professional Mediation Board of Standards;
new text end

new text begin (11) one family court referee, one district court judge, or one retired judge with experience
in family law matters, appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court; and
new text end

new text begin (12) one representative from the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition.
new text end

new text begin (b) Members shall serve without compensation. Each organization listed in paragraph
(a) is responsible for appointing its representative.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Organization. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of Bureau of Mediation Services or the
commissioner's designee shall convene the first meeting of the task force.
new text end

new text begin (b) The task force shall meet monthly or as determined by the chair.
new text end

new text begin (c) The members of the task force shall elect a chair and other officers as the members
deem necessary.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of Bureau of Mediation Services shall provide support
staff, office space, and administrative services for the task force.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force shall develop a family law mediation report covering
the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) an analysis of the existing research regarding the effect of the dissolution process
on children;
new text end

new text begin (2) recommendations for conflict resolution practices as an alternative to the court process
to reduce the negative impact dissolution proceedings have on children; and
new text end

new text begin (3) recommendations for a model program for mediation services for implementation
in district courts throughout the state.
new text end

new text begin (b) The task force shall engage with each district court in the state to encourage the use
of the model program for mediation services recommended under paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The task force must submit the report required under subdivision 5
and any policy recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over family law by January 15, 2020.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force expires upon submission of the report required
under subdivision 6.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end