Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 8-15 - Court Administration
Section 8-15-2.1. - Powers of the chief justice to ensure court operations.

§ 8-15-2.1. Powers of the chief justice to ensure court operations.
(a) The chief justice of the supreme court may, by order, take any action necessary to ensure the continued and efficient operation of the courts of the unified judicial system. Such necessary actions may include, but are not limited to:
(1) Establishing alternative locations to conduct judicial business in the event that one or more court locations cannot be utilized;
(2) Enlarging, extending, tolling, or suspending any filing, appeal, or other applicable deadline or statute of limitation in the event of the closure or curtailment of court operations or other circumstances as is necessary, in the opinion of the chief justice, to ensure the fair administration of justice;
(3) In the event of a court closure or curtailment of court operations, suspending any judicial business that is deemed not essential by the chief justice; and
(4) Taking any other appropriate action necessary to ensure that judicial business is effectively conducted by the courts of the unified judicial system for the duration of the order.
(b) Any order of the chief justice closing or curtailing the operation of any court within the unified judicial system and setting forth the necessary response(s) thereto shall specify:
(1) The nature, time period, and duration of the circumstances giving rise to the order;
(2) The court(s) and court location(s) affected by the order;
(3) The action(s) to be undertaken to redress the circumstances giving rise to the order; and
(4) Any other relevant information needed to effectively respond to the circumstances giving rise to the order and ensure the continued and efficient operation of the unified judicial system for the duration of the order.
(c) The order closing or curtailing the operation of any court within the unified judicial system shall be limited to an initial duration of not more than thirty (30) days; provided, however, that the order may be modified or extended for additional periods of thirty (30) days each at the discretion of the chief justice. Any modification or extension of the initial order shall contain the same information required for the issuance of the initial order pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(d) In the event that the office of the chief justice is vacant, or the chief justice is unable, by reason of illness or absence, to perform his or her duties, the associate justice of the supreme court having precedence who is present and qualified, as determined by §§ 8-3-2 and 8-3-3, shall have the power to issue an order under this chapter.
History of Section.P.L. 2021, ch. 139, § 1, effective July 3, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 140, § 1, effective July 3, 2021.

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