SB 389 - Court Operations Summary

• Expands authority to administer oaths to include family relations counselors, support enforcement officers, chief probation officers, and supervisory judicial marshals employed by the Judicial Department, effective October 1, 2014

• Reforms the State Marshal Commission composition by removing political party balance requirements and establishing that no more than four of seven nonjudicial members may be state bar members, effective October 1, 2014

• Allows credit card payments for court fees and costs with service fees capped at credit card issuer charges, and changes payment recipient designation from "Superior Court" to "Judicial Branch," effective October 1, 2014

• Expands body armor sales exemptions to include authorized Judicial Branch officials purchasing on behalf of probation officers and judicial marshals, effective October 1, 2014

• Establishes procedures for counsel and guardian ad litem appointments in family relations matters, including party selection from court-provided lists, fee schedules, periodic review requirements, and clarifies rules regarding counsel reporting on medical diagnoses, effective July 1 and October 1, 2014