NY A08297

Establishes a pilot program under the community dispute resolution center program to provide alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and navigator services for child support cases in family court, funded by state appropriations and potentially federal Title IV-D funds

Requires the pilot program to operate in at least two counties in a city with a population of one million or more (New York City) and at least one other county in the state, offering free services that are culturally sensitive and available in participants' native languages

Mandates courts in participating counties to advise parties of the ADR program at initial appearances, issue preliminary child support orders before referral, and require financial disclosures to be provided to the program

Requires mediators and facilitators to receive specialized training in child support law, including the child support standards act, medical insurance requirements, custody arrangements, modification grounds, and enforcement consequences

Provides navigation services to litigants including information on court procedures, enforcement options through social services, employment and job training programs, and assistance with preparing financial disclosures for court appearances