Bill > H2254

This bill amends Chapter 211B of the General Laws, changing the title of the chapter to "Administration of the Judicial Department" and making significant changes to how chief justice positions within the trial court are handled. Specifically, it clarifies that the roles of chief justice of a department of the trial court and the chief justice for administration and management are administrative positions, not judicial offices as defined by the state constitution. The bill outlines the appointment process for these roles: a department chief justice is appointed by the chief justice for administration and management for a five-year term, and can be removed by them. The chief justice for administration and management is appointed by the chief justice of the supreme judicial court, with approval from at least three other supreme judicial court justices, also for a five-year term, and can be removed by the chief justice of the supreme judicial court with majority approval. Importantly, individuals appointed to these administrative chief justice roles will retain their existing judicial commissions and can continue to perform their regular judicial duties.