A. Each state agency shall adopt a written policy that addresses the use of dispute resolution proceedings within the agency and for the agency’s program and operations. The policy shall include, among other things, training for employees involved in implementing the agency’s policy and the qualifications of a neutral to be used by the agency.

B. The head of each state agency shall designate an existing or new employee to be the dispute resolution coordinator of the agency. The duties of a dispute resolution coordinator may be collateral to those of an existing official.

C. Each state agency shall review its policies, procedures and regulations and shall determine whether and how to amend such policies, procedures and regulations to authorize and encourage the use of dispute resolution proceedings.

D. Any state agency may use the services of other agencies’ employees as neutrals and an agency may allow its employees to serve as neutrals for other agencies as part of a neutral-sharing program.

E. This chapter does not supersede the provisions of subdivision 2 of § 2.2-1202.1 and subdivision B 4 of § 2.2-3000, which require certain agencies to participate in the mediation program administered by the Department of Human Resource Management.

History

2002, c. 633; 2012, cc. 803, 835.