The court may refer the parties to mediation at any time after a court determination pursuant to section 1803, subsection 2, paragraph C that the grandparent has standing and may require that the parties have made a good faith effort to mediate the issue before holding a hearing. If the court finds that either party failed to make a good faith effort to mediate, the court may order the parties to submit to mediation, dismiss the action or any part of the action, render a decision or judgment by default, assess attorney’s fees and costs or impose any other sanction that is appropriate in the circumstances. The court may also impose an appropriate sanction upon a party’s failure without good cause to appear for mediation after receiving notice of the scheduled time for mediation. [PL 2017, c. 328, §5 (AMD).]

An agreement reached by the parties through mediation on an issue must be reduced to writing, signed by the parties and presented to the court for approval as a court order. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]