GR 9 COVER SHEET

Suggested New

WASHINGTON STATE COURT RULE:

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES FOR COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION

RULE [14]

MANDATORY CONTINUING COURT ADMINISTRATOR EDUCATION

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A.        Names of Proponents:          District & Municipal Court Management Association

(DMCMA)

District & Municipal Court Judges’ Association

(DMCJA)

B.        Spokespersons:                      Margaret Yetter, DMCMA Representative

                                                            LaTricia Kinlow, DMCMA Representative

Judge Michelle Gehlsen, President, DMCJA

C.        Purpose:         The District and Municipal Court Management Association (DMCMA) and District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association (DMCJA) recommend adopting a new Administrative Rule for the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, which would mandate minimum education requirements for court managers. The rule was written to parallel GR 26 regarding mandatory continuing education for judges, but to be specific to courts of limited jurisdiction. Both associations have vetted the rule and unanimously recommend adoption.

Court managers are often responsible for ensuring court compliance with the General Rules and other statutes and ordinances. Effective and efficient management of courts requires knowledge and skills in administrative roles and responsibilities, budgeting, human resource management, and related topics. Mandatory training will help address overall court management needs and ongoing education in order to more effectively serve the public and community.

The Board of Judicial Administration (BJA) Court Education Committee Funding Task Force conducted a survey in

January 2018 and found that:

(1) training opportunities are limited for court administrators;

(2) court administrators were least likely to receive training early in their tenure - 63% of new court administrators received no training during their first six months on the job.

(3) court administrators should have mandatory training requirements and more training opportunities.

GR 26 established minimum requirements for continuing judicial education of judicial officers. However, there is no rule that establishes minimum requirements for court managers.

The DMCMA currently offers education and training to all court leaders. A rule requiring mandatory education supports ongoing professional development of court leadership and ensures court management efficiencies that are necessary for those court leaders who are responsible for overseeing the advanced functionality in courts of limited jurisdiction, and may enhance fair access to resources. The DMCMA and the DMCJA worked together to craft the language of this new rule, intended to fill this important gap in training for court personnel. Please note the rule contains a proposed effective date of January 1, 2023, to allow time to provide education about and to prepare for implementation of the new rule.

D.        Hearing:  A hearing is not recommended.

E.        Expedited Consideration:  Expedited consideration is not requested.