KS HB2181

Enacts the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act to govern arbitration of contested family law disputes arising under the Kansas family law code, including child custody, parenting time, visitation, and financial support matters

Requires arbitration agreements to be in writing, signed by the parties, and identify the arbitrator or selection method; agreements to arbitrate future child-related disputes are unenforceable unless later affirmed or court-approved

Prohibits arbitrators from granting divorces, terminating parental rights, granting adoptions or guardianships, or determining child-in-need-of-care status or parent-child relationships

Mandates arbitrators be licensed attorneys or retired judges with domestic violence and child abuse training, and requires arbitrators to stay proceedings and refer to court if a party is subject to a protection order or faces safety risks

Applies to arbitration agreements made on or after July 1, 2025, with confirmed awards enforceable as court judgments and subject to court review for child-related disputes to ensure the child's best interests