23-3505. Confidentiality. (a) A mediator appointed under K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 23-3502, and amendments thereto, shall treat all verbal or written information transmitted between any party to a dispute and a mediator conducting the proceeding, or the staff of an approved program under K.S.A. 5-501 et seq., and amendments thereto, as confidential communications. No admission, representation or statement made in the proceeding shall be admissible as evidence or subject to discovery. A mediator shall not be subject to process requiring the disclosure of any matter discussed during the proceedings unless all the parties consent to a waiver. Any party and the neutral person or staff of an approved program conducting the proceeding, participating in the proceeding has a privilege in any action to refuse to disclose, and to prevent a witness from disclosing, any communication made in the course of the proceeding. The privilege may be claimed by the party or the neutral person or anyone the party or the neutral person authorizes to claim the privilege. A neutral person conducting the proceeding shall not be subject to process requiring the disclosure of any matter discussed within the proceedings unless all parties consent to a waiver.

(b) The confidentiality and privilege requirements of this section shall not apply to:

(1) Information that is reasonably necessary to allow investigation of or action for ethical violations against the neutral person conducting the proceeding or for the defense of the neutral person or staff of an approved program conducting the proceeding in an action against the neutral person or staff of an approved program if the action is filed by a party to the proceeding;

(2) any information that the mediator is required to report under K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 38-2223, and amendments thereto;

(3) any information that is reasonably necessary to stop the commission of an ongoing crime or fraud or to prevent the commission of a crime or fraud in the future for which there was an expressed intent to commit such crime or fraud;

(4) any information that the mediator is required to report or communicate under the specific provisions of any statute or in order to comply with orders of the court; or

(5) any report to the court that a party has issued a threat of physical violence against a party, a party's dependent or family member, the mediator or an officer or employee of the court with the apparent intention of carrying out such threat.

History: L. 1985, ch. 147, § 5; L. 1996, ch. 129, § 2; L. 1999, ch. 157, § 2; L. 2006, ch. 200, § 87; Jan. 1, 2007.