SB 2063 Summary

• Creates chapter 32-29.4 of the North Dakota Century Code to establish the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act, allowing parties to arbitrate family law disputes outside of court.

• Arbitrators must be attorneys in good standing or retired judges and must be trained in identifying domestic violence and child abuse, unless parties waive these requirements in writing.

• Arbitration cannot be used to grant divorces, legal separations, annulments, terminate parental rights, grant adoptions or guardianships, determine dependency status, or decide child-related disputes regarding parenting time or financial support.

• Courts may compel arbitration if parties have a valid agreement, but must terminate arbitration if a party is subject to a protection order or at risk of harm unless the at-risk party voluntarily reaffirms the agreement and court approves reasonable safety procedures.

• Awards must be confirmed by the court before enforcement; parties have 90 days to file motions to vacate for corruption, fraud, partiality, misconduct, or other specified grounds.