Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
Section 31.3 - Continuing Judicial Education Board of Judges(a)Establishment. The Supreme Court hereby establishes the Continuing Judicial Education Board of Judges.(b)Purpose. The primary purpose of the Board is to guide development and delivery of continuing judicial education to Judges serving the Commonwealth's Unified Judicial System.(c)Composition.(i)Membership. The Board shall consist of twelve (12) members appointed by the Supreme Court. Eight (8) shall be jurists serving one of the Commonwealth's courts governed by this rule.(ii)Chair and Vice Chair. The Supreme Court shall appoint from the members of the Board a chair and a vice chair.(iii)Other Officers and Committees. The Board may designate such other officers and form such other committees as it deems appropriate.(d)Term of Board Members.(i)Regular Terms. The regular term of members of the Board shall be for three (3) years, and no member may serve for more than two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms.(ii)Initial Terms. The terms of the first Board shall be staggered so that four (4) members shall be appointed for three (3) year terms, four (4) members for two (2) year terms, and four (4) members for one (1) year terms.(e)Action by the Board. Seven (7) Board members shall constitute a quorum. The Board shall act only with the concurrence of not less than seven (7) Board members. The Board may adopt rules providing for the holding of teleconference meetings.(f)Responsibilities of the Board.(i)Accreditation Decisions. The Board shall make accreditation decisions consistent with the purpose and standards set forth.(ii)Noncompliance Appeals. The Board shall hear and decide noncompliance appeals.(iii)Waiver, Extension, Deferment. The Board shall hear and decide requests from Judges for waiver, extension, or deferment from the requirements set forth.(iv)Incidental Responsibilities. The Board shall undertake all incidental tasks attendant to the above, including affording essential notices and recordkeeping activities.(v)Pennsylvania Rules for Continuing Judicial Education. The Board shall prepare a set of rules governing continuing judicial education for review and approval by the Supreme Court, to replace this chapter.(g)Compensation and Expenses. Board members shall receive no compensation for services provided under these rules, but they shall be reimbursed by the Board for their reasonable and necessary expenses in attendance at meetings and in otherwise fulfilling their responsibilities.(h)Immunity. The Board, and its members, employees and agents are immune from all civil liability for conduct and communications occurring in the performance of their official duties relating to the administration of the continuing judicial education requirements.