The commissioner of mediation services shall establish an Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution within the bureau. The office must:

(1) promote the broad use of community mediation in the state, ensuring that all areas of the state have access to services by providing grants to private nonprofit entities certified by the state court administrator under chapter 494 that assist in resolution of disputes;

(2) assist state agencies, offices of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and units of local government in improving collaboration and dispute resolution;

(3) support collaboration and dispute resolution in the public and private sector by providing technical assistance and information on best practices and new developments in dispute resolution options;

(4) educate the public and governmental entities on dispute resolution options; and

(5) promote and utilize collaborative dispute resolution models and processes based on documented best practices including, but not limited to, the Minnesota Solutions model:

(i) establishing criteria and procedures for identification and assessment of dispute resolution projects;

(ii) designating projects and appointing impartial convenors by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee;

(iii) forming multidisciplinary conflict resolution teams; and

(iv) utilizing collaborative techniques, processes, and standards through facilitated meetings until consensus among parties is reached in resolving a dispute.

History: 2013 c 85 art 5 s 32