RI H8049

Requires the Judicial Nominating Commission to establish a standardized merit-based selection process with an initial blind review of applications before any interview or public hearing

Mandates redaction of identifying information, including applicant names, during preliminary evaluation to prevent bias

Requires applicants to be evaluated according to uniform, job-related criteria that must be adopted in advance and published on the commission's website

Requires use of structured evaluation instruments or scoring rubrics to demonstrate recommendations are based on published merit criteria

Takes effect upon passage