Relating to authorizing the Supreme Court of Appeals to create child protection commissioners

The bill's title was updated to include the new section on child protection commissioners and to list the specific sections being amended and added.

A new section (§49-4-118) was added to create a pilot program for child protection commissioners, defining their appointment, powers, duties, and compensation.

New definitions were added for 'child protection commissioner' and 'Community team' to clarify roles in child welfare proceedings.

The requirements for senior judges and justices were updated to explicitly allow them to serve as child protection commissioners under the new pilot program.

Added a new section authorizing the Supreme Court of Appeals to create 'child protection commissioners' to manage portions of child abuse and neglect cases.

Defined 'child protection commissioner' as an appointed judicial officer who may serve in multiple circuits and has specific powers like monitoring diversion and conducting hearings.

Modified retirement rules to allow retired attorneys and judges to work as child protection commissioners or law clerks without suspending their retirement benefits, provided the position is vacant and they have been retired for 60 days.

Reorganized the statutory text to separate general reemployment rules for public employees from specific provisions for child welfare and judicial roles.

Added a requirement for the Supreme Court to report annual costs and projected costs of the child protection commissioner pilot program to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

Added a requirement for the Administrative Director of the Supreme Court of Appeals to submit an annual report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance detailing measurable outcomes and costs of the child protection commissioner pilot program.

Added specific effective date language stating the bill is in effect 90 days from passage (June 12, 2026) and included a placeholder for the Governor's signature.

Added standard enrolled bill formatting elements, including certification signatures from the Clerks of the House and Senate, and the Governor's signature line.

Removed draft-specific headers and navigation links (e.g., 'skip navigation', 'SENATE', 'HOUSE') that were present in the Engrossed version but are not part of the final legal text.