MN SF718

Rice County may establish a pilot program to provide mediation services for low-income parties in dissolution of marriage proceedings, contingent on county board authorization.

District court in Rice County shall impose a $3 surcharge on each civil filing fee and a $2 surcharge on every person convicted of a misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor, with funds collected going to the mediation program.

Surcharges are deposited into a Rice County surcharge account in the special revenue fund and appropriated to the state court administrator as a grant to Rice County for the mediation program.

District court administrator and mediation program director in Rice County must submit a report by March 15, 2017 to the state court administrator and legislature analyzing program results, including party satisfaction and number of cases mediated.

Pilot program provisions expire June 30, 2017, with the section becoming effective July 1, 2013.