Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act

SB 117 establishes a standardized process for resolving family law disputes - such as divorce, custody, and child support - through arbitration instead of court trials. It directly affects individuals involved in family law cases who choose arbitration, by defining key terms, setting requirements for arbitration agreements, and outlining procedures for selecting arbitrators and handling hearings. The bill creates a clear framework for how arbitrators must operate (including disclosure rules and qualifications), how courts handle arbitration awards, and when temporary orders or protection orders may apply during the process. It does not change substantive family law but provides consistent rules for using arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution method.