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HB 6971 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT ADOPTING THE CONNECTICUT UNIFORM MEDIATION ACT.

HB 6971 adopts Connecticut's Uniform Mediation Act, making it state law. This bill standardizes mediation procedures across Connecticut courts, directly affecting individuals, businesses, and courts involved in civil disputes (like family law, contracts, or personal injury cases) who choose mediation instead of litigation. Key provisions require all mediators to follow consistent confidentiality rules - ensuring discussions during mediation remain private and cannot be used as evidence in court - and establish clear guidelines for mediator qualifications and conduct. The law aims to make mediation a more reliable and accessible tool for resolving conflicts outside of traditional court settings.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Signed Jun 10, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → JUD Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to expand its scope from 15 sections to 16 sections, adding a new definition for 'nonparty participant' and clarifying that certain mediation communications remain privileged even when made by parties who weren't notified of privilege agreements. The changes also update references throughout the bill to reflect the new section count and clarify which mediations are covered under the act.
Scope change
The bill's applicability was expanded to include section 12 explicitly in the scope provisions, and the definition section now includes a new category for nonparty participants.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'nonparty participant' to clarify who participates in mediation without being a formal party or mediator.

SCOPE

Changed references from 'sections 1 to 15' to 'sections 1 to 16' throughout the bill to account for the new section.

Added explicit reference to section 12 in the scope applicability clause to clarify which sections apply to different types of mediations.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that privilege protections apply to communications made by parties who didn't receive notice of privilege agreements before making those communications.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated the list of mediations excluded from the act to specify that only Superior Court judges (not all judges) are excluded from performing mediations under the act.

Floor votes · Senate May 28, 2025 · House May 13, 2025

How they voted

36–0
Passed
Total votes 36
May 28, 2025
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
11 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
2
Jun 10, 2025
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
lower
May 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
SENATE PASSED
upper
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Judiciary
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.