(a) Each person who is elected to a first term as a judge of probate after October 1, 1993, shall complete the training program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The Probate Court Administrator shall establish, supervise and fund a program of training for newly-elected probate judges that shall include: (1) A course to be taken between the date of election and the date of assuming office concerning the rules of judicial conduct for a judge of probate, the ethical considerations arising in that office, the operation of a probate court, and the availability of assistance for a judge in the operation of a probate court; and (2) courses to be taken within six months after the date of assuming office that provide fundamental training in (A) civil procedure, including constitutional issues, due process, and evidentiary considerations, (B) property law, including conveyancing and title considerations, (C) the law of wills and trusts, and (D) family law in the context of the probate courts.

(c) The curriculum for the courses required by subsection (b) of this section shall be established by the Probate Court Administrator and shall be designed to establish a minimum level of proficiency by judges of probate. The courses shall be given by qualified instructors approved by the Probate Court Administrator. The Probate Court Administrator may waive completion of a course required by subdivision (2) of subsection (b) on demonstration by a probate judge of proficiency in the subject matter. The Probate Court Administrator may, for good cause, allow a probate judge to satisfy a requirement of subsection (b) of this section by auditing, at the office of the Probate Court Administrator or at such other place as the Probate Court Administrator may designate, instructional tapes approved by the Probate Court Administrator. The Probate Court Administrator shall adopt appropriate time requirements for training of a probate judge elected in a special election and may modify other requirements of this section as circumstances may require.

(P.A. 93-279, S. 15.)