Education and training — judicial education policy — certificate of completion

(1) The commission shall prescribe an annual course of education and training that must be completed by all judges of courts of limited jurisdiction. The course of education and training must include the successful completion of a certification test pursuant to Rule 6, and such other testing as the commission shall authorize. Attendance is required at all training sessions pursuant to MCA 3- 10-203 and MCA 3-11-204. (2) Duly elected or appointed judges of the Montana courts of limited jurisdiction and members of the Commission may attend the training sessions. Upon invitation of the Commission, or upon written application and for good cause shown, the Commission may allow attendance by any other person so long as that person’s attendance is in furtherance of the educational policy of the Commission. All attendees shall follow the educational policies of the Commission. (3) Post training, individuals may request copies of recorded training sessions. However, in order to request dissemination of electronic transcription of training sessions, the requester must be eligible to attend training sessions as set out in subsection (2) above. Additionally, the requester must supply the Judicial Education Coordinator with the appropriate technology as requested; pay any associated shipping/handling costs; and request recorded copies from only the most recent COCLJ training conference and/or the most recent certification school. (3) The commission hereby establishes a “Judicial Education Policy” which shall address issues relating to implementation of education and training of judges, including but not limited to; special training for new judges or judges exhibiting deficiency in a particular subject matter, scheduling of training conferences; conference registration; testing; attendance requirements and penalties for violation thereof. (4) The commission shall issue a certificate of completion to all judges who successfully complete the course of education and training. (5) A judge must file with the clerk and recorder of that jurisdiction a certificate of completion: (a) at the beginning of the judge’s term of office; and (b) after each general election; or (c) every 4 years after the date of taking office.