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Bill

S 8374

Establishes a pilot program to provide alternative dispute resolution and navigator services in child support matters

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Roxanne Persaud

Bill S 8374 launches a pilot program offering mediation and navigator services for child support disputes, helping parents resolve issues collaboratively and effectively.

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Bill Summary · S 8374

Summary of Bill S 8374

Title

Establishes a pilot program to provide alternative dispute resolution and navigator services in child support matters

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: S 8374
  • Status: Returned to Senate
  • Introduced: June 05, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 8374 aims to create a pilot program that offers alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and navigator services specifically for child support matters. The intent of the bill is to streamline the child support process, reduce conflict between parents, and provide support to families navigating the complexities of child support agreements.

Key Provisions

  • Pilot Program Establishment: The bill proposes the establishment of a pilot program that will implement ADR methods, such as mediation, to resolve disputes related to child support.
  • Navigator Services: The program will also include navigator services to assist parents in understanding their rights and responsibilities regarding child support, as well as guiding them through the dispute resolution process.
  • Evaluation and Reporting: The bill mandates an evaluation of the pilot program's effectiveness, including metrics on resolution rates and participant satisfaction, to be reported to the legislature.

Affected Parties

  • Parents and Guardians: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are parents and guardians involved in child support disputes, who will have access to more supportive and less adversarial means of resolving their issues.
  • Child Support Agencies: Agencies responsible for enforcing child support may also be impacted, as the bill encourages a shift towards collaborative resolution methods rather than litigation.

Legislative Actions

  • June 05, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to Rules.
  • June 12, 2025: Passed in the Senate and delivered to the Assembly.
  • June 12, 2025: Referred to Ways and Means.
  • June 17, 2025: Substituted for A 8297, passed in the Assembly, and returned to the Senate.
  • June 17, 2025: Ordered to third reading in the Senate.

Related Bills

  • A 8297: This is the companion bill to S 8374, which may contain similar provisions or objectives related to child support dispute resolution.

Conclusion

Bill S 8374 represents a significant step towards modernizing child support dispute resolution by introducing alternative methods that prioritize collaboration and support. The pilot program's success could lead to broader implementation of these practices, potentially transforming how child support issues are handled in the future.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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