RELATING TO COURTS; PROVIDING FOR A MEDIATION PROGRAM BY PROBATE JUDGES IN MAGISTRATE COURT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. MAGISTRATE COURTS--AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT A MEDIATION PROGRAM--TRAINING.--

A. If approved by the administrative office of the courts pursuant to Subsection B of this section, a probate judge shall have authority to conduct mediation programs in a magistrate court.

B. The director of the administrative office of the courts may approve a probate judge to exercise the authority conferred in Subsection A of this section if the judicial district for the county in which the magistrate court is located has certified that the probate judge is qualified, by training or experience, to conduct the mediation program.

C. The supreme court shall enact rules necessary for the implementation of this section.