(a) Magisterial district judges.--

(1) Every magisterial district judge shall complete a continuing education program each year equivalent to not less than 32 hours per year in such courses or programs as are approved by the board. At least every six years, the program shall include the identification of mental illness, intellectual disabilities and autism and the availability of diversionary options for individuals with mental illness, intellectual disabilities or autism.

(2) If a magisterial district judge fails to meet these continuing education requirements, such judge shall be subject to suspension by the Supreme Court until such time as evidence of compliance with such requirements is submitted by the board, but in no event longer than six months at which time the failure to meet the continuing education requirements shall be grounds for the Supreme Court, after a hearing, to declare a vacancy in that district.

(b) Arraignment court magistrates.--Every arraignment court magistrate shall complete a continuing education program each year equivalent to not less than 20 hours per year in such courses or programs as are approved by the board.

(Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; July 20, 1979, P.L.157, No.52, eff. 60 days; Oct. 12, 1984, P.L.959, No.187, eff. 60 days; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days; Oct. 9, 2008, P.L.1352, No.98, eff. 60 days; July 10, 2015, P.L.138, No.25, eff. 60 days)

2015 Amendment. Act 25 amended subsec. (a).

2008 Amendment. Section 10 of Act 98 provided that nothing in Act 98 shall be construed or deemed to provide arraignment court magistrates with retirement benefits or rights different from those available to bail commissioners immediately prior to the effective date of Act 98.

2004 Amendment. See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law.