The following page lists pending legislation and other legal and legislative initiatives that NYSDRA feels its members should be aware of.
We encourage you to write your State representatives in support of the bills that NYSDRA is supporting. Information on the bills, as well as letters of support and labels can be found on this page.
Pending Legislation
2008 S344-B/A1432-B: Child Custody Reform Act: Enacts the child custody reform act to provide uniform statewide procedural standards for the mediation of child custody, parenting and child support disputes; provides for an initial planning conference between the judge and all parties to determine suitability for mediation and referral of all suitable parenting disputes to a mediation information session; requires the chief administrator of the courts to establish statewide plans for the safe conduct of mediation. Amends section 242 to the domestic relations law.
Links:
Senate bill (Assembly companion bill is identical apart from bill number and sponsors)
NYSDRA Position Paper
Draft Letter of Support
Labels for Letter of Support
2008 S3232/A5482: Amendment to General Municipal Law: An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to authorizing the use of mediation in municipal land use decisions, in order to facilitate certain land use regulation decisions. The bill adds new Section 99-v to the General Municipal Law.
Links:
Senate bill (Assembly companion bill is identical apart from bill number and sponsors)
NYSDRA Position Paper
Draft Letter of Support
Labels for Letter of Support
Prior Legislation
2006:
S3577/A7052: Amendment to Judiciary Article 21-A to increase the basic grant to which mediation centers are entitled under the State’s Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program. The bills were passed unanimously in both the House and Senate, and signed into Law by Governor George Pataki on August 16, 2006. The bills are now Chapter 451 of the Laws of 2006: goes into effect April 1, 2007.
Links:
Executive Order Passing Legislation
Other Legislative Initiatives
Uniform Standards: With the exception of Community Dispute Resolution Centers, there are currently no uniform, statewide standards governing the practice of ADR in New York. As a result, it is sometimes difficult for disputants to make an educated choice regarding the type of ADR that would best suit their needs, and to gauge the quality of the services provided. NYSDRA is committed to the development of high uniform standards which would reflect the professional nature of the many ADR practitioners in the state, and is currently working on a comprehensive set of certification, ethics and standards requirements.
Links:
UMA Position Paper (2004)
Additional Resources:
Legislative Activities
The Legislative Process/Meeting You Legislative
ADR in New York