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House approves statewide divorce mediation program, funds coordinator role
Summary
The House passed HB 4 to create a statewide divorce mediation program requiring parties with unresolved contested issues to participate in at least one mediation session; the bill carried a fiscal note including about $75,800 for a program coordinator and indigent mediation costs.
The Utah House passed House Bill 4 to establish a statewide divorce mediation program that requires parties with remaining contested issues after filing an answer to attempt at least one session of mediation.
Representative Ferry, sponsor, said pilots showed mediation reduces litigation and increases settlement rates; he cited a Third District pilot with roughly 2,398 cases and a 75 percent agreement rate. "We know mediation works," Ferry told the chamber.
Questions on the floor focused on similarities to existing local programs, whether mandatory mediation increases attorney costs or becomes a fact-finding step, and the fiscal note. Ferry and supporters said mediation historically reduces litigation and attorney costs and that the fiscal note—approximately $75,800—covers a program coordinator (about $65,800) and $10,000 for indigent parties for the first two years, with the coordinator position categorized as ongoing.
Members also asked about mediator availability in outlying districts; the sponsor said mediators travel and the administrative office of the courts maintains an approved statewide list, but additional training and coordinator support will be needed.
The bill passed the House (65 yes, 4 no) and will be sent to the Senate for further action.
