ORS 419B.517: Mediation to be encouraged.

(1) The use of mediation shall be encouraged in cases involving:

      (a) A parent or guardian in a juvenile dependency proceeding in which the child is taken into protective custody or placed in substitute care; or

      (b) The termination of parental rights.

      (2) If the child or ward is an Indian child, prior to hearing a petition for guardianship under ORS 419B.365 or 419B.366, or termination of parental rights under ORS 419B.500, the court shall offer to order mediation through the Department of Human Services, or, if there is mutual party agreement to private mediation and party assumption of costs, through other mediation services between the Indian child’s parents, the Indian child’s tribe and the proposed guardian or, if the hearing is for the termination of parental rights, the proposed adoptive placement.