THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, BRUBAKER, WASHINGTON, DINNIMAN, EARLL, LEACH, WARD AND ALLOWAY, OCTOBER 19, 2009

REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, OCTOBER 19, 2009  

A JOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth

of Pennsylvania, further providing for qualifications of

certain judges.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby resolves as follows:

Section 1.  The following amendment to the Constitution of

Pennsylvania is proposed in accordance with Article XI:

That section 12(b) of Article V be amended to read:

§ 12.  Qualifications of justices, judges and justices of the

peace.

* * *

(b)  Judges of the traffic court in the City of Philadelphia

and justices of the peace shall be members of the bar of the

Supreme Court or shall complete a course of training and

instruction in the duties of their respective offices and pass

an examination prior to [assuming office] being nominated to

fill vacancies pursuant to section 13(b) of Article V or to

filing a nomination petition for their respective offices. Such

courses and examinations shall be as provided by law.

Section 2.  (a)  Upon the first passage by the General

Assembly of this proposed constitutional amendment, the

Secretary of the Commonwealth shall proceed immediately to

comply with the advertising requirements of section 1 of Article

XI of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and shall transmit the

required advertisements to two newspapers in every county in

which such newspapers are published in sufficient time after

passage of this proposed constitutional amendment.

(b)  Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of this

proposed constitutional amendment, the Secretary of the

Commonwealth shall proceed immediately to comply with the

advertising requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the

Constitution of Pennsylvania and shall transmit the required

advertisements to two newspapers in every county in which such

newspapers are published in sufficient time after passage of

this proposed constitutional amendment. The Secretary of the

Commonwealth shall submit the proposed constitutional amendment

under section 1 to the qualified electors of this Commonwealth

at the first primary, general or municipal election occurring at

least three months after the proposed constitutional amendment

is passed by the General Assembly.