Robert J. Bruchalski

The council received updates regarding committee activities, including the Conference of Circuit Judges, court administration projects such as portal launches and judicial needs assessments, and Supreme and Appellate court initiatives. A closed session was conducted to address courthouse security plans. Additional reports covered the Court Access Committee's language service initiatives and video resources, the Family Law Committee's work on parent assessments and guardianship standards, and the Senior Judges Committee's efforts to integrate senior judges into judicial operations.

The meeting included an overview of the U.S. Department of Justice rule requiring compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA for public-facing digital content. The Judiciary's remediation plans, including training and toolkit development, were discussed, noting potential timelines for MDEC compliance. Additionally, the Conference reviewed the implementation of a new project intake process for JIS, which involves establishing an executive board and advisory committee. Old business addressed ongoing difficulties regarding attorney access to detained clients at correctional facilities and issues with accessing digital evidence, with plans to invite the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to a future meeting for further discussion.

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 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.