Substitute Senate Bill No. 215 Summary

• Eliminates the position of executive secretary of the Judicial Department and reassigns administrative duties to the Office of the Chief Court Administrator and its staff.

• Adds "status as a veteran" as a protected class in state contractor non-discrimination requirements effective July 1, 2018.

• Requires applicants in child custody cases to file accompanying documents (birth certificates, paternity acknowledgments, court orders) establishing legal parent-child relationships with the court by the first docket date.

• Allows divorce decree modifications to restore a spouse's birth or former name without requiring a hearing; specifies the court must rule on such motions without a hearing.

• Permits Appellate Court decisions and official legal publications to be published in electronic format as the sole method of publication and distribution.