Sec. 20. (a) As soon after mediation as practicable, the mediator shall report to the administrative law judge that the mediation process has been completed, terminated, or extended.

     (b) The mediator shall terminate mediation whenever:

(1) the mediator believes that continuation of the process would harm or prejudice one (1) or more of the parties; or

(2) the ability or willingness of any party to participate meaningfully in mediation is lacking to the extent that a reasonable agreement is unlikely.

     (c) After at least two (2) mediation sessions have been completed, any party may terminate mediation. The mediator may not state the reason for termination except when the termination is due to conflict of interest or bias on the part of the mediator, in which case another mediator may be assigned to the proceeding by the administrative law judge for the proceeding.

As added by P.L.16-1996, SEC.1.