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SENATE FLOOR VERSION
February 14, 2023
AS AMENED
SENATE BILL NO. 97 By: Floyd of the Senate
and
Stinson of the House
[ Dispute Resolution Act - confidentiality -
effective date ]
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 12 O.S. 2021 , Section 1805, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 1805. A. Any information received by a mediator or a
person employed to assist a mediator, through file s, reports,
interviews, memoranda, case summaries, or notes and work products of
the mediator, is privileged and confidential.
B. No part of the proceeding shall be considered a matter of
public record.
C. No mediator, initiating party, or responding par ty in a
mediation proceeding shall be subject to administrative or judicial
process requiring di sclosure of any matters discussed or shall
disclose any information obtained during any part of the mediation
proceedings including but not limited to mediation scheduling,
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attendance, participation, or discussion of any proposed se ttlement
agreement, items agreed upon or disputed, or the intent of the
parties.
D. Each mediation session shall be informal. No adjudication
sanction or penalty may be made or imposed by the mediator or the
program.
E. No mediator, employee, or agent of a mediator shall be he ld
liable for civil damages for any statement or decision made in the
process of mediating or settling a dispute unless th e action of such
person was a result of gross negligence with m alicious purpose or in
a manner exhibiting willful disregard of the rig hts, safety, or
property of any party to the mediation.
F. If a party who has participated in mediation brings an
action for damages against a mediator ar ising out of mediation, for
purposes of that action the privilege provided for in subsection A
of this section shall be deemed to be waived as to the party
bringing the action.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2023.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
February 14, 2023 - DO PASS AS AMENDED