MN HF3486

$150,000 appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services for fiscal year 2019 for a grant to Dakota County to study family court issues in the First Judicial District.

Study must measure satisfaction levels of married couples with children who participated in early neutral evaluation and mediation services, surveying at least 75 couples in each category.

Study must examine satisfaction regarding custody arrangements, parenting time, property division, legal expenses, process length, party cooperation, and effectiveness of neutrals.

Dakota County must report findings to legislative committees with jurisdiction over family law by January 15, 2020.

Designated as a onetime appropriation.