(a)
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all time limits with respect to an action shall be tolled while the mediator conducts the mediation, pursuant to this chapter.
(b)
Mediations conducted by a mediator pursuant to this chapter that involve less than a quorum of a legislative body or a state body shall not be considered meetings of a legislative body pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5), nor shall they be considered meetings of a state body pursuant to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2).
(c)
Any action taken regarding mediation conducted pursuant to this chapter shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of current law.
(d)
Ninety days after the commencement of the mediation, and every 90 days thereafter, the action shall be reactivated unless the parties to the action do either of the following:
(1)
Arrive at a settlement and implement it in accordance with the provisions of current law.
(2)
Agree by written stipulation to extend the mediation for another 90-day period.
(e)
Section 703.5 and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1115) of Division 9 of the Evidence Code apply to any mediation conducted pursuant to this chapter.
(f)
This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.