An Act To Create Efficiencies in Court Process

Sec. 1. 4 MRSA §1, 3rd ¶,  as amended by PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. QQ, §1, is further amended to read:

The Supreme Judicial Court has general administrative and supervisory authority over the judicial branch and shall make and promulgate rules, regulations and orders governing the administration of the judicial branch. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Supreme Judicial Court may adopt rules or issue orders to permit or require the use of electronic or digital forms, filings, records, e-mail and electronic signatures whenever paper forms, filings, records, written notice, postal mail and written signatures are required for judicial, legal, law enforcement or any other court processes under the Maine Revised Statutes.

Sec. 2. Notification to Legislature. The Supreme Judicial Court shall notify the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters of any rules adopted or orders issued pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 4, section 1 to permit or require the use of electronic or digital forms, filings, records, e-mail and electronic signatures whenever paper forms, filings, records, written notice, postal mail and written signatures are required for judicial, legal, law enforcement or any other court processes and recommend to the committee by February 15, 2017 any changes in law necessary to implement or promote the electronic case management and filing system implemented by the judicial branch.

summary

This bill authorizes the Supreme Judicial Court to adopt any rules or issue any orders necessary to implement its electronic case management and filing system. The bill requires the court to notify the Legislature of any such rules or orders and to recommend any changes in law needed to implement or promote the system.