GR 9 COVER SHEET

Suggested Amendments to GR 26

GR 26

MANDATORY CONTINUING JUDICIAL EDUCATION

Submitted by the Board of Judicial Administration’s

Court Education Committee

A.    Name of Proponent:  The Board of Judicial Administration (BJA),
Court Education Committee (CEC).

B.     Spokespersons:   

q  The Honorable Tam Bui, Chair, CEC, Snohomish County District Court

q  The Honorable Douglas J. Fair, CEC, Snohomish District Court

C.    Purpose:  “The CEC shall, subject to the approval of the Supreme Court, establish and publish standards for accreditation of continuing judicial education programs and may choose to award continuing judicial education credits for self-study or teaching.” GR 26(c). The Board for Judicial Administration’s Court Education Committee has continually reviewed GR 26 and the standards and recommended changes to meet the needs of the judiciary.  The proposed change was requested by the Superior Court Judges’ Association and their Equality and Fairness Committee, and further reviewed and approved by the Court Education Committee and the Board for Judicial Administration.  The purpose of the change is to increase education on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout the judicial system, and ensure this training by mandating a minimum number of hours in this field.

The changes within GR 26 and the standards require judicial officers receive four and one-half (4.5) credits of education in DEI each reporting period.  Additional language includes limits on carry-over DEI credits (1.5) and on receiving DEI credits via self-study (2.0) and teaching (2.0) for each reporting period.

Additional administrative changes were made regarding offices and divisions within the Administrative Office of the Courts, gender-specific language, and the addition of several national bar associations and organizations to approved judicial education sponsors.

D.  Hearing:  A public hearing is not requested for this change to the rule or the standards.

E.     Expedited Consideration:  An expedited process is not requested for these changes.

If you need further information or history on GR 26 and the standards, please contact Mr. Phil Zitzelman at Phil.Zitzelman@courts.wa.gov.