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House OKs bill to expand expedited mediation for parent‑time disputes
Summary
H.B. 32, an interim committee bill to provide expedited mediation for visitation (parent‑time) disputes, was amended to reference court ADR rules and 'best interest of the child' language and passed 63‑4; sponsor said mediation can assign a mediator within 15 days and runs approximately $75–$100 per hour.
The Utah House on Jan. 30 approved H.B. 32 to expand expedited mediation for parent‑time (visitation) issues, moving the measure to the Senate after a friendly floor amendment.
Representative Julie Fisher, the sponsor, described the bill as building on a successful pilot in the Third District Court that started in 1997 and said mediation is a faster and cheaper route than litigation to increase the time children spend with both parents. She explained that a parent may request mediation at no cost, the court assigns a mediator within 15 days, parties are required to attend, and mediators typically bill $75 to $100 per hour for services the parties share. Fisher said mediation is tracked for six months to try to resolve issues.
On the floor Representative Falk offered amendment No. 2 (dated 01/30/2007) to insert a definition referencing the "Utah rules of court annexed alternative dispute resolution" and to add language requiring actions to be based on the "best interest of the child." Fisher described the change as friendly and accepted it. The House then voted 63‑4 to pass the bill as amended.
Representative Fisher said the bill is a practical, cost‑effective way to address visitation concerns and to help families resolve underlying problems without lengthy court processes.
Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the House floor transcript of Jan. 30, 2007.
