The Florida Senate

984.18  Referral of child-in-need-of-services cases to mediation.--

(1)  At any stage in a child-in-need-of-services proceeding, the case staffing committee or any party may request the court to refer the parties to mediation in accordance with chapter 44 and rules and procedures developed by the Supreme Court.

(2)  A court may refer the parties to mediation.

(3)  The department shall advise the parties or legal guardians that they are responsible for contributing to the cost of the child-in-need-of-services mediation to the extent of their ability to pay.

(4)  This section applies only to courts in counties in which child-in-need-of-services mediation programs have been established and does not require the establishment of such programs in any county.

History.--s. 23, ch. 94-164; s. 27, ch. 96-398; s. 104, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.4365; s. 39.4431.