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HB 428

Courts - Former Judge - Temporary Assignment

2026 Regular Session

Maryland bill authorizes courts to temporarily assign retired/former judges to handle cases during caseload surges, improving court efficiency while raising questions about compensation and judicial independence.

Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 428

Legislative bill overview

HB 428 allows Maryland courts to temporarily assign retired or former judges to judicial duties on an as-needed basis. The bill establishes a framework for bringing former judicial officers back to active service for specific cases or periods without requiring full reinstatement to permanent positions.

Why is this important

Courts frequently face caseload backlogs, vacancies, and scheduling pressures that can delay justice for litigants. Enabling temporary assignments of experienced former judges provides courts flexibility to manage workload surges and maintain case processing efficiency without the cost and commitment of permanent hiring or retention.

Potential points of contention

  • Compensation and benefits structure – Unclear whether temporary assignments include full judicial benefits, retirement implications, or how pay rates compare to active judges, raising fairness questions
  • Judicial independence concerns – Critics may worry that temporary status could compromise judge impartiality or create pressure to rule favorably to secure future assignments
  • Qualification standards – The bill's criteria for which former judges qualify and who decides assignments could lack transparency or create political favoritism in judicial administration

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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