Richard P. Abbott

The meeting included a review of the JIS Jury Management Operating Directive, which aims to formalize existing oversight practices among judicial subcommittees. The Conference also received a presentation on a Public Perceptions Survey designed to assess court user experiences and discussed the upcoming Judicial Needs Assessment Time Study, which will track judicial workload data to determine resource needs. Furthermore, the meeting addressed ongoing concerns regarding attorney visitation access with detained clients and discussed proposed rule amendments to allow for the designation of acting circuit administrative judges during temporary absences.

The Conference of Circuit Judges discussed several key issues, including the Child Support Enforcement Agency's new Pay Near Me program, which allows for child support payments to be made at various retail locations. The Conference also addressed the report and recommendations of the Workgroup on Medical Malpractice, qualifications for candidates running for circuit court judgeships, advice to defendants upon disqualification from possessing a gun, the magistrate's leave policy, and the Guardianship Workgroup report and recommendations. Additionally, the Conference was briefed on the State of the Court Reports Workgroup and its review of reports submitted for 2015, highlighting inequities in physical plant conditions and funding mechanisms for the courts.

The council discussed various operational and technological initiatives, including the development of an artificial intelligence policy for the Appellate Court of Maryland, the launch of a statewide online resolutions pilot, and the implementation of a judiciary legislative package. Updates were provided on the eBar system upgrade, the launch of new online courses, and the progress of the Maryland Statewide Steering Committee on Behavioral Health. Furthermore, the council approved a restructuring proposal for judicial education and authorized updated guidelines concerning the use of social media by judges and judicial appointees. The technology committee also reported on the launch of AI-assisted tools for research and drafting, the development of a data warehouse, and progress on new systems for digital evidence and property notifications.

The meeting featured a presentation from Justice Angela M. Eaves regarding the Innovations in Tiered Legal Services Task Force, which is collaborating to develop formal recommendations for civil legal needs assistance, including exploring the use of non-lawyers to aid self-represented litigants. Richard Abbott presented the Fiscal Year 2025 Family Division and Support Services Report, noting differences in child access assessment orders between jurisdictions and the potential for the Department of Juvenile and Family Services to establish a staff evaluator position. Judge Robert J. Thompson provided an update on the Complex Litigation Committee, detailing its recent activities, including joint meetings with the Business and Technology Workgroup and the ongoing development of a Best Practices in Medical Malpractice Case Management Report. During 'For the Good of the Order,' Judge Vicki M. Pauler raised an issue concerning public defenders being denied physical access to Department of Corrections facilities to consult with clients, leading to a decision to seek input from the Maryland State Bar Association and schedule a discussion with the Public Defender's Office at the next meeting.

The meeting included Executive Committee updates covering the Conference of Circuit Judges' discussions on Innovations in Tiered Legal Services and Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program legislation. The Administrative Office of the Courts provided updates on the publication of the Strategic Plan, the establishment of an AI Workgroup, the launch of a new email security tool, the rollout of the Non-Case Revenue System (NCRS) project, and the MDEC upgrade. Trademark applications for 'The People's Law Library' were accepted. Several reports and conference updates were highlighted, including the publication of a new video series on Appeals and the Fiscal Year 2025 Problem-Solving Courts Annual Report. The Supreme Court announced upcoming bar admissions ceremonies and the successful launch of an online application for Character Committees. The District Court announced the opening of the Mabel H. Hubbard Baltimore City District Courthouse. Key actions included the unanimous approval to convert the AI Workgroup into the AI Governance Subcommittee. The Council also unanimously adopted the Use of Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) Policy to facilitate interpreter access and authorized the Administrative Office of the Courts to explore becoming an AIRA access partner for visual interpretation services for persons with blindness. Furthermore, the Domestic Law Committee was officially renamed the Family Law Committee, and a Guardianship Statutory Revision Workgroup was established. The Education Committee received approval to transition the Public Education and Community Outreach Subcommittee to the Special Projects Committee. The Court Operations Committee presented the FY 2025 Caseflow Assessment findings across District, Appellate, and Supreme Courts, and deferred action on the JIS Jury Management Operating Directive pending review by the Conference of Circuit Judges. Finally, the Specialty Courts and Dockets Committee underwent a restructuring, moving the Behavioral Health Subcommittee to the Special Projects Committee.