OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS

Legislative Office Building, Room 5200

Hartford, CT 06106 ¯ (860) 240-0200

http: //www. cga. ct. gov/ofa

sSB-1194

AN ACT CONCERNING ARBITRATION IN CERTAIN FAMILY RELATIONS MATTERS.

As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 6059), Senate "B" (LCO 7496)

House Calendar No. : 631

Senate Calendar No. : 417

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:

Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

The bill permits parties to a dissolution of marriage proceeding to agree to arbitrate the matter except for issues related to child support, visitation and custody. Providing another alternative dispute mechanism for certain issues in marriage dissolution proceedings could decrease the workload of the Judicial Department’s Family Division and thereby speed the disposition of cases. Any efficiencies gained under the bill are not expected to yield a reduction in caseloads sufficient to substantially decrease staffing or expenses. As a consequence, any budgetary savings are anticipated to be minimal.

The bill also makes other changes related to the court’s handling of child custody, support, and visitation statutes and does not result in a fiscal impact.

Senate “A” added visitation as another issue that may not be subject to binding arbitration and reduced the potential savings.

Senate “B” made changes related to the court’s handling of child custody, support and visitation statutes and did not result in a fiscal impact.

The preceding Fiscal Impact statement is prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for the purposes of information, summarization and explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either House thereof for any purpose.