An Act
ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 97 By: Floyd of the Senate
and
Stinson of the House
An Act relating to the Dispute Resolution Act;
amending 12 O.S. 2021, Section 1805, whi ch relates to
confidentiality of pro ceedings; clarifying
information not subject to disclosure; and providing
an effective date.
SUBJECT: Dispute Resolution Act
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 a nd work products of
the mediator, is privileged and confidential.
B. No part of the pro ceeding shall be con sidered a matter of
public record.
C. No Other than a mediator's report to the court, no mediator,
initiating party, or responding par ty in a mediation proceed ing
shall be subject to administrati ve or judicial process requiring
disclosure of any matters discussed or shall disclose any
information obtained during any part of the mediation proceedings
including but not limited to mediation scheduling, attendance,
participation, or discussion of any proposed se ttlement agreement,
items agreed upon or disputed, or the intent of the parties .
ENR. S. B. NO. 97 Page 2
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.
ENR. S. B. NO. 97 Page 3
Passed the Senate the 24th day of May, 2023.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the 27th day of April, 2023.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this _______ _____________
day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _____ __ M.
By: _______________________________ __
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _____ ____
day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this _______ ___
day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _______________________________ __