S.B. 124 Enrolled

APPEALS MEDIATION FUNDING
1999 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Lane Beattie
AN ACT RELATING TO THE JUDICIAL CODE; PROVIDING FOR THE
CONFIDENTIALITY OF MATTERS IN THE APPELLATE MEDIATION OFFICE;
PROVIDING GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY TO THE CHIEF APPELLATE MEDIATOR
AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF WHEN ACTING AS MEDIATORS; APPROPRIATING
$90,050; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
ENACTS:
78-2a-6, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 78-2a-6 is enacted to read:
78-2a-6. Appellate Mediation Office -- Protected records and information --
Governmental immunity.
(1) Unless a more restrictive rule of court is adopted pursuant to Subsection
63-2-201 (3)(b), information and records relating to any matter on appeal received or generated by
the Chief Appellate Mediator or other staff of the Appellate Mediation Office as a result of any
party's participation or lack of participation in the settlement program shall be maintained as
protected records pursuant to Subsections 63-2-304 (17) and (33).
(2) In addition to the access restrictions on protected records provided in Section 63-2-202 ,
the information and records may not be disclosed to judges, staff, or employees of any court of this
state.
(3) The Chief Appellate Mediator may disclose statistical and other demographic
information as may be necessary and useful to report on the status and to allow supervision and
oversight of the Appellate Mediation Office.
(4) When acting as mediators, the Chief Appellate Mediator and other professional staff
of the Appellate Mediation Office shall be immune from liability pursuant to Title 63, Chapter 30,

Utah Governmental Immunity Act.
(5) Pursuant to Utah Constitution, Article VIII, Section 4, the Supreme Court may exercise
overall supervision of the Appellate Mediation Office as part of the appellate process.
Section 2. Appropriation.
There is appropriated from the General Fund for fiscal year 1999-2000, $90,050 to the
Administrative Office of the Courts for the implementation and administration of the Appellate
Mediation Office.
Section 3. Effective date.
This act takes effect on July 1, 1999.

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