Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

BILL AS INTRODUCED                                                           S.248
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                                       S.248
 Introduced by Senator White
 Referred to Committee on
 Date:
 Subject: Domestic relations; Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act
 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes the General
 Assembly’s intent to enact the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act
    An act relating to the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act
 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
 Sec. 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS
    The General Assembly finds that:
         (1) Vermont courts are facing large caseloads, and parties seeking to
 divorce and settle matters related to parental rights and responsibilities, parent-
 child contact, child support, and property matters may have to wait for a
 considerable amount of time to resolve these matters through the Family
 Division of Superior Court.
         (2) The Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act establishes a statutory
 scheme to resolve these matters through arbitration rather than using the
 courts.
                                                                         VT LEG #372944 v.1
     BILL AS INTRODUCED                                                            S.248
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       (3) During arbitration, a neutral third party hears arguments from the
 parties, evaluates the evidence, and makes a decision on the dispute.
 Arbitration awards are filed with the court that reviews them, and such awards
 that involve child-related issues are given particularly close scrutiny to make
 sure they are in the best interests of the child.
       (4) Adopting the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act can provide
 families with an opportunity to move forward with their lives and settle
 important matters with the assistance of an arbitrator rather than wait for what
 may be a significantly longer time period without such assistance.
 Sec. 2. LEGISLATIVE INTENT
    It is the intent of the General Assembly to enact the Uniform Family Law
 Arbitration Act for the purpose of offering families an alternative to
 negotiation, litigation, collaborative law, or mediation.
 Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
    This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
                                                                       VT LEG #372944 v.1