The bill amends sections 9-12-10 and 9-12-10.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-12, which pertains to "District Court Practice." It introduces a new claim of appeal process for civil cases, allowing any party to appeal a district court judgment to the superior court within five days, inclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The bill establishes a new filing fee of $75, which includes a civil case processing fee and a technology surcharge, replacing the previous requirement of an attorney's fee of $50. Additionally, it removes the stipulation that costs cannot be less than $25, streamlining the appeal process.

In landlord-tenant actions, the bill allows for a similar appeal process with the same five-day timeframe, also including weekends and holidays. The new filing fee of $75 applies here as well, and the requirement for an attorney's fee has been removed. The changes aim to simplify the appeal process and update the fee structure, with the act set to take effect on January 1, 2026.