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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3118 (2026)

 Continuing education requirement.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 3118.  Continuing education requirement.

(a)  Magisterial district judges.--

(1)  Every magisterial district judge shall complete a continuing education program each year equivalent to not less than 32 hours per year in such courses or programs as are approved by the board. One such course must be in the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse as defined by 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 (relating to child protective services) and court proceedings involving children. At least every six years, the program shall include the identification of mental illness, intellectual disabilities and autism and the availability of diversionary options for individuals with mental illness, intellectual disabilities or autism.

(2)  If a magisterial district judge fails to meet these continuing education requirements, such judge shall be subject to suspension by the Supreme Court until such time as evidence of compliance with such requirements is submitted by the board, but in no event longer than six months at which time the failure to meet the continuing education requirements shall be grounds for the Supreme Court, after a hearing, to declare a vacancy in that district.

(b)  Arraignment court magistrates.--Every arraignment court magistrate shall complete a continuing education program each year equivalent to not less than 20 hours per year in such courses or programs as are approved by the board.

(Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; July 20, 1979, P.L.157, No.52, eff. 60 days; Oct. 12, 1984, P.L.959, No.187, eff. 60 days; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days; Oct. 9, 2008, P.L.1352, No.98, eff. 60 days; July 10, 2015, P.L.138, No.25, eff. 60 days; July 14, 2020, P.L.624, No.59, eff. 60 days)

 

2020 Amendment.  Act 59 amended subsec. (a)(1).

2015 Amendment.  Act 25 amended subsec. (a).

2008 Amendment.  Section 10 of Act 98 provided that nothing in Act 98 shall be construed or deemed to provide arraignment court magistrates with retirement benefits or rights different from those available to bail commissioners immediately prior to the effective date of Act 98.

2004 Amendment.  See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2014–2023 · leading case: In re Bruno, 101 A.3d 635 (Pa. 2014).
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In re Bruno, 101 A.3d 635 (Pa. 2014). “§§ 2132-34 (members, officers, and staff of Minor *665 Judiciary Education Board appointed by, or with authorization of, Supreme Court); 42 Pa.C.S. § 3118 (continuing legal education for magisterial district judges); Pa.”
In Re: Adoption of the Pennsylvania Minor Judiciary Educ. Rules (Pa. 2023). · cites it 4× “There shall be no exceptions or exemptions from the continuing education requirements set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 3118 and Pa.R.J.A. 602, except those enumerated herein.”
In Re: Magisterial Dist. Judge Mark Bruno (Pa. 2014). “§§ 2132- 34 (members, officers, and staff of Minor Judiciary Education Board appointed by, or with authorization of, Supreme Court); 42 Pa.C.S. § 3118 (continuing legal education for magisterial district judges); Pa.”
— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3118(a)(1) — 1 case
In Re: Adoption of the Pennsylvania Minor Judiciary Educ. Rules (Pa. 2023). “There shall be no exceptions or exemptions from the continuing education requirements set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 3118 and Pa.R.J.A. 602, except those enumerated herein.”
— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3118(a)(2) — 1 case
In Re: Adoption of the Pennsylvania Minor Judiciary Educ. Rules (Pa. 2023). “There shall be no exceptions or exemptions from the continuing education requirements set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 3118 and Pa.R.J.A. 602, except those enumerated herein.”
— 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3118(b) — 1 case
In Re: Adoption of the Pennsylvania Minor Judiciary Educ. Rules (Pa. 2023). “There shall be no exceptions or exemptions from the continuing education requirements set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 3118 and Pa.R.J.A. 602, except those enumerated herein.”
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