Bill > H4328

This bill aims to improve the management and operation of probate registries across Massachusetts by making several key changes to the legal framework governing probate court staffing. The bill modifies existing law to standardize the appointment and compensation of various court personnel across different counties, including first assistant registers, assistant registers, deputy assistant registers, judicial case managers, and assistant judicial case managers. Specifically, the bill establishes a consistent process for appointing these positions, typically requiring approval from the chief justice of the probate and family court, and sets specific numbers of positions for each county. The bill also eliminates certain administrative positions like administrative deputy assistant registers while allowing current employees to continue in their roles. For deputy assistant registers, the bill generally establishes a system where some employees receive 10% additional compensation and others receive 5% additional compensation of their county register's salary, with provisions to grandfather in existing employees' current compensation levels. The changes appear designed to create more uniform staffing structures and compensation practices across Massachusetts probate courts while providing job stability for current employees.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on the Judiciary (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4328