Bill > SB710

This bill establishes new mandatory continuing education requirements for judges in Oregon's county circuit courts, tax court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. Specifically, the bill requires the Chief Justice to establish minimum continuing education standards that must include evidence-based and trauma-informed education related to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other interpersonal violence topics. The Chief Justice is directed to consult with an advisory committee and other experts in interpersonal violence when developing these educational requirements. The State Court Administrator is tasked with implementing the curriculum and training opportunities to help judges meet these new continuing education standards. Additionally, the bill requires the State Court Administrator to submit a report to legislative committees by September 15, 2027, detailing judicial compliance with the new education requirements and providing information about the implemented curriculum. The reporting requirement is set to be automatically repealed on January 2, 2028, suggesting this is intended as a temporary assessment mechanism to evaluate the new judicial education program.