Bill would authorize Court of Appeals bailiffs to conduct threat assessments and view some non-conviction criminal records

Senator Manka Dhingra presented SB 6011 as a request from the Court of Appeals to give bailiffs authority similar to the Supreme Court and superior-court authorizations enacted previously. Committee staff explained the bill permits Court of Appeals bailiffs to conduct threat assessments and to receive criminal-history record information that includes non-conviction data for the limited purpose of investigating threats against judicial officers and staff.

Senator Dhingra said judicial officers are receiving more threats and need this narrowly tailored authority. Questions from members focused on bailiff training and how the authority compares with the Supreme Court legislation passed last year; sponsor and staff said the language mirrors the earlier negotiated bill and that additional bills would authorize hiring security personnel and training.

No vote was taken; staff noted existing court rules that clerks may serve as bailiffs in some divisions and offered to provide additional details on training and implementation.