HB 652-FN proposes the abolition of the family division within the judicial system and the establishment of an Office of Family Mediation to handle family-related mediation cases, such as divorce and child custody disputes. The bill reassigns the jurisdiction previously held by the family division to the superior court and introduces new provisions for mediation services, which must be voluntarily elected by all parties involved. Key changes include the insertion of new legal language that establishes the Office of Family Mediation and its responsibilities, while deleting references to the family division throughout the relevant statutes. Additionally, the bill creates a mediation and arbitration fund to support both the Office of Mediation and Arbitration and the Office of Family Mediation, ensuring that funds are identifiable and nonlapsing.

The bill also modifies existing laws to clarify the roles of the courts in family law matters, replacing "district court" with "superior court" in multiple instances and emphasizing that mediators cannot impose decisions on parties. It establishes the Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM) to set standards for mediator training and certification, increases the number of public members on the Family Mediators Board, and mandates public hearings regarding mediator candidates. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, allowing for a transition period to implement these changes, although it does not provide funding or authorize new positions, which may lead to indeterminable impacts on state revenue and expenditures.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 490-E:2, 490-E:3, 490-F:3, 490-F:7, 491:7, 547:3, 328-C:2, 328-C:4, 328-C:4-a, 328-C:5, 461-A:7, 169-B:2, 169-B:10, 169-C:3, 169-C:28, 169-D:2, 169-G:3, 169-G:5, 170-G:4, 173-B:2, 458-D:3, 458-D:4, 458-D:7, 461-B:1, 463:8, 490:6-a, 490:25, 491-A:3, 491-A:4, 604-A:7
HB652 text: 490-E:2, 490-E:3, 490-F:3, 490-F:7, 491:7, 547:3, 328-C:2, 328-C:4, 328-C:4-a, 328-C:5, 461-A:7, 169-B:2, 169-B:10, 169-C:3, 169-C:28, 169-D:2, 169-G:2, 169-G:3, 169-G:5, 170-G:4, 173-B:2, 458-D:3, 458-D:4, 458-D:7, 461-B:1, 463:8, 490:6-a, 490:25, 491-A:3, 491-A:4, 604-A:7