Programs or individuals in dispute resolution; approval of; application; annual report

(a) A program or individual not connected with a court and desiring approval may apply to the director to be approved under the dispute resolution act by submitting an application which includes: (1) A plan for the operation of the program or service; (2) the program or individual's objectives; (3) the areas of population to be served; (4) the administrative organization of the program or service; (5) recordkeeping procedures; (6) the procedures for client intake and for scheduling, conducting and terminating dispute resolution sessions; (7) qualifications for neutral persons for the program; (8) an annual budget for the program; and (9) such additional criteria for approval or for grants which are prescribed by the director in accordance with the dispute resolution act or by rules of the supreme court adopted pursuant to the dispute resolution act. (b) The director shall approve or disapprove each application submitted for approval under this section by the end of the second meeting of the advisory council occurring after the date the application was submitted. (c) Each approved program shall submit an annual report to the director. The reports shall include the number and types of cases handled in the year and a showing of continued compliance with the dispute resolution act. (d) Any entities, programs or individuals providing dispute resolution services and existing on July 1, 1994, shall not be approved under the dispute resolution act unless such entities apply and are approved under this section.