The bill amends Section 8-16.1-7 of the General Laws concerning the tenure of justices and magistrates in various courts, including the superior court, family court, district court, workers compensation court, and traffic tribunal. It establishes a mandatory retirement age of seventy-five (75) for justices and magistrates who are initially appointed after July 1, 2025. These justices and magistrates will hold office during good behavior, but upon reaching the age of seventy-five, they will be required to retire.

The bill clarifies that this mandatory retirement does not prevent justices and magistrates from serving after retirement under certain conditions, and it ensures that existing retirement laws remain in effect. Additionally, for justices who reach the mandatory retirement age without having served the necessary tenure for retirement benefits, the supreme court is tasked with recommending that their pension rights be accelerated to take effect upon retirement. This recommendation will be forwarded to the General Assembly for appropriate legislative action. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
289: 8-16.1-7