COMMITTEES UPDATE

BY KATE WEAVER (OAKLAND)

SBM Judicial Ethics Committee - Referee Ilyssa Cimmino (Oakland)
In the spring, we initiated a Judge training for MJI on Artificial Intelligence and on the JI-155 Artificial Intelligence ethics opinion.  We presented in many counties across the state (I was one of the presenters at the Plymouth training along with Judge Savin).  Prior to that we were working on creating a Judicial Campaign Guidebook with resources and FAQs related to campaigning and following the Cannons.  There were still some revisions that needed to be worked out, so it’s still a work in progress. We are presently discussing the Proposed Amendments to MCJC 4 and 6, which proposes expanded financial disclosure requirements by Judicial Officers.  We are working to advise the Board on whether we support, reject or have any proposed amendments to suggest for consideration. 

SCAO Juvenile Justice Partnership Committee - Referee Lisa Harris (Oakland) and Referee Holly Spoelman (Muskegon) - update from Referee Spoelman  
The committee has been meeting monthly beginning in November, 2023. The committee is comprised of representatives from various agencies, courts and community groups.  Each of the members also participates in one or more workgroups and subgroups.  The workgroups are Training, Data & Quality Assurance, and Policy & Procedure.  The subgroups are Screening & Assessment Tools, Diversion and Consent, and Juvenile Probation and Case Management Standards.  I have been serving on the Training workgroup. The workgroup has been planning and conducting monthly webinars.  The work group reviews and discusses he evaluations and comments the month following each webinar. The recorded webinars as well as “Training in a Minute” videos (prerecorded power points with audio can be accessed on the Child Welfare Juvenile Justice website.  Several of the workgroups and subgroups have completed their initial directives/deliverables and are winding down.  The Training workgroup will continue meeting and planning webinars that will be held throughout the upcoming year. The Training group already has a substantial list of potential training topics. However, if any RAM members have any training topics they would like the Training workgroup to consider, I will be happy to bring those requests to the next Training workgroup meeting.

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