5-509.   Same; cases accepted.(a) Upon finding that alternatives tolitigationmay provide a more appropriatemeans to resolve the issues in a case and that the costs of the disputeresolution process arejustified relative to the parties' ability to pay such costs, a judge may orderthe parties tothe case to participate in a settlement conference or a non-bindingdispute resolution process conducted by:(1) A program or individual approved pursuant to rules of the supreme courtadopted pursuant to the dispute resolution act; or (2) an individual licensedto practice law in the state of Kansas.

      (b)   If a court refers acase, informationshall be provided to the courtas to whether an agreement was reached and, if available, a copy of thesigned agreement shall be provided to the court.

      (c)   Before the dispute resolution process begins,the neutral person conducting the process shallprovide the parties with a written statement setting forth the procedures to befollowed.

      History:   L. 1994, ch. 217, § 9;L. 1996, ch. 140, § 9;L. 2000, ch. 171, § 1;L. 2001, ch. 173, § 2; July 1.