5-506.   Director's duties; annual report.(a) Consistent with provisions of the disputeresolution act and the rules of the supreme court adopted pursuant tothe dispute resolution act, and in consultation with the council, the directorshall:

      (1)   Make information on dispute resolutionavailable throughout thestate and encourage the development of newprograms;

      (2)   approve programs and individuals which meet requirementsand guidelines for approvalwhich are prescribed by the dispute resolution act or by rules ofthe supreme court adoptedpursuant to the dispute resolution act;

      (3)   develop and administer a uniform system of reporting and collectingstatistical data from approved programs and individuals;

      (4)   develop and administer a uniform system of evaluating approved programs and individualsfor compliance with the requirements of the dispute resolution act and therules of the supreme court adopted pursuant to the dispute resolutionact;

      (5)   prepare an annual budget for the implementation and administration ofthe dispute resolution act and disburse funds to approvedprograms and individuals;

      (6)   develop guidelines for a sliding scale of fees that may be charged byapproved programs and individuals;

      (7)   develop and approve curricula and initiate training sessions for neutral persons and staffof registered programs, registered individuals and ofcourts, including continuing education programs;

      (8)   establish and approve volunteer training and continuing educationprograms;

      (9)   promote public awareness of the dispute resolution process;

      (10)   apply for and receive funds from public and private sources forcarrying out the purposes and objectives of the dispute resolution act; and

      (11)   provide technical assistance to any program, individualand other entities, includingcourts, requesting the study and development of dispute resolution programs.

      (b)   The director shall report annually to the supreme court, the governorand the legislature on the implementation of the dispute resolution act. Thereport shall include, but notbe limited to, information on types of disputes being handled by registeredprograms and registered individuals, recommendations to address problems,recommendationsfor program development, statistics concerning numbers and resolutions ofdisputes, when available, and any other information available which is relevantto achieving the goals of the dispute resolution act.

      History:   L. 1994, ch. 217, § 6;L. 1996, ch. 140, § 6; July 1.