CA AB2763

Judicial Council required to provide special assessment to the Legislature by November 30, 2011, on the need for new judgeships in family law and juvenile law assignments in each superior court.

Up to 10 additional subordinate judicial officer positions may be converted to judgeships annually beginning in the 2010-11 fiscal year, but only if conversions result in judges assigned to family law or juvenile law matters previously handled by subordinate judicial officers.

Conversion of the 10 additional positions requires legislative ratification by statutory enactment outside the annual Budget Act, while the existing 146 positions require ratification through the Budget Act or other statutory measure.

Judicial Council must report beginning November 1, 2012, on implementation and effects of the new conversion provisions for family and juvenile law assignments.

Legislative intent expressed that family and juvenile law matters should be presided over by judges rather than subordinate judicial officers due to the lasting impact of decisions on vulnerable children and public confidence in procedural fairness.