Does Missouri need a Mediation Act?

Mediation is increasing in popularity in Missouri, yet our state has no comprehensive mediation act. Some think our state needs a statute to establish the basic standards for the mediation process. The legislature has embracing mediation in a variety of statutes as a dispute resolution process for commercial and consumer disputes, administrative and agency disputes, and judicial disputes. Would a Mediation Act provide guidance for the practice of mediation? Would an Act establish helpful standards and inform the public about issues such as the non-binding and confidential nature of the process? Would this increase the confidence of the consumers of mediation? Or are we better off with the flexibility and informality of mediation that is not specifically defined? Tell us what you think.