HB 652-FN proposes the abolition of the family division within the judicial system and the establishment of a new Office of Family Mediation to handle cases related to divorce, custody, and support matters. The bill reassigns the jurisdiction previously held by the family division to the superior court and circuit court probate division, effectively dissolving the family division's authority. It introduces new legal language that replaces references to the "judicial branch family division" with "superior court" and "circuit court probate division," and it amends the Mediation and Arbitration Fund to include funds collected by the new office. Additionally, the bill outlines that unresolved mediation cases will be referred to the superior court for adjudication.

The legislation also modifies the composition of the Family Mediators Board, increasing the number of public members and changing the appointment process for a judge on the board. It emphasizes that mediation services must be voluntarily elected by all parties and clarifies the role of mediators, ensuring they cannot impose decisions. The bill raises the quorum requirement for board meetings and establishes eligibility requirements for family mediator certification aligned with the Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM) standards. Overall, HB 652-FN aims to streamline family-related legal processes and enhance mediation services, with the act set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

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