Preamble
The Maryland Judiciary strives every day to fulfill its mission to “…provide fair, efficient and effective justice for all.” Fulfilling that mission, as well as bringing to fruition the Judiciary’s vision to be an “…efficient, innovative and accessible court system that works collaboratively with justice partners to serve the people with integrity and transparency” begins with a qualified, informed, and motivated workforce.
This electronic handbook was developed to ensure that you, as a Judiciary employee, have access to the policies and procedures that govern employment, as well as to enable you to effectively interact with the various administrative departments . The policies and procedures contained within are intended to provide guidance, but should not be considered all-inclusive. They are subject to change and, as such, it is the responsibility of each employee to ensure you are referencing the most current version of the respective policy or procedure if you are reviewing from a printed copy.
The handbook is arranged by topical area. Any questions regarding the content within the handbook should be directed to the department noted on the policy.
It is with great pride that I serve as your State Court Administrator. Your commitment, work ethic, and dedication to excellence continues to propel the Maryland Judiciary to higher heights in service to all those who enter our doors.
Judy K. Rupp, State Court Administrator
| 1. Introduction | |
|---|---|
| 1.1 | Employment Relationship |
| 1.2 | New Employee Welcome Letter |
| 1.2.1 | New Employee Welcome Letter Example |
| 1.2.2 | New Employee Welcome Letter (At Will) Example |
| 1.3 | New Employee Orientation |
| 1.4 | Judiciary Hours of Operation |
| 1.5 | Changes to Policies and Procedures |
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
| 2. Employment Practices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | Title | Effective/Revised |
| 2.1 | Accommodations of Disabilities | 10-30-24 |
| 2.1.1 | Pregnant Workers | 10-30-24 |
| 2.1.2 | Lactation Breaks | 10-30-24 |
| 2.2 | At-Will Employment | 01-24-24 |
| 2.3 | Classification, Compensation, Reinstatement, Reassignment and Transfer | 10-30-24 |
| 2.4 | Employment of Relatives | 01-24-24 |
| 2.5 | Other Employment and Outside Activity | 01-24-24 |
| 2.6 | Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation | 10-01-24 |
| 2.7 | Talent Acquisition, Examination, Selection, and Probation | 10-30-24 |
| 2.7.1 | Referral Bonus Program | 01-10-24 |
| 2.8 | Religious Accommodation | 01-24-24 |
| 2.9 | Separation from Employment | 01-24-24 |
| 2.10 | Temporary Employment | 01-24-24 |
| 3. Standards of Conduct and Performance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | Title | Effective/Revised |
| 3.1 | Confidentiality | 03-11-24 |
| 3.1.1 | Confidentiality Agreement | 02-24-22 |
| 3.2 | Disciplinary Actions | 03-11-24 |
| 3.3 | Grievances | 03-11-24 |
| 3.4 | Performance Appraisal | 03-11-24 |
| 3.5 | Standards of Conduct | 03-11-24 |
| 3.5.1 | Smoking in Judicial Branch Facilities | 03-11-24 |
| 3.6 | Substance Use and Misuse | 03-11-24 |
| 3.7 | Whistleblower Protections | 03-11-24 |
| 3.8 | Social Media | 11-16-16 |
| 3.9 | Fair Practices Resources | |
| 3.9.1 | Religious Accommodation Request Form | |
| 5. CONNECT - Human Resources and Payroll Forms and Procedures | |
|---|---|
| 5.1 | CONNECT |
| 6. Accounting, Budgeting, and Purchasing Forms and Procedures | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | Title | Effective/Revised |
| 6.1 | GEARS [CourtNet] | |
| 6.1.1 | GEARS Access Security Form [CourtNet] | |
| 6.1.2 | Vendor Maintenance Form [CourtNet] | |
| 6.1.3 | Contracts [CourtNet] | |
| 6.2 | Clerk of Court Accounting Manual [CourtNet] | |
| 6.3 | Honoraria and External Speaker Fees and Costs | |
| 6.4 | Donation of Small Equipment, Materials, and Supplies (Non-Fixed Assets) | |
| 6.4.1 | Donation Form | |
| 6.5 | Accounts Receivable Policy [CourtNet] | 05-25-23 |
| 6.5.1 | Circuit Court Accounts Receivable End of the Month Summary Reporting Template [CourtNet] | |
| 6.5.2 | District Court Accounts Receivable End of the Month Summary Reporting Template [CourtNet] | |
| 6.5.3 | Non-judicially Assessed Accounts Receivable End of the Month Summary Reporting Template [CourtNet] | |
| 7. Procurement, Contracts, Grants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | Title | Effective/Revised |
| 7.1 | Procurement Policy | 07-01-23 |
| 7.2 | Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) | 09-2022 |
| 7.2.1 | Judiciary MOU Procedures Manual | 09-2022 |
| 7.3 | Grants Administration | 12-2022 |
| 7.4 | Judiciary Contracts and Agreements - Procedures [CourtNet] | |
| 7.5 | Corporate Purchasing Card Cardholder's Guide [CourtNet] | 08-04-21 |
| 7.5.1 | Exhibit A - Cardholder Agreement [CourtNet] | |
| 7.5.2 | Exhibit B - Cardholder Log [CourtNet] | |
| 7.5.3 | Exhibit E - Quick Reference Tip Sheet [CourtNet] | |
| 7.6 | FY24 List of Blanket Purchase Order Contracts | |
| 8. Emergency Preparedness and Closures | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | Title | Effective/Revised |
| 8.1 | Emergency Disaster Preparedness - Human Resources and Payroll Operations - Continuation | 04-01-20 |
| 8.2 | Closure of Courts and Offices of Clerks of Court Due to Emergencies [Admin. Order] | 01-15-16 |
| 8.3 | Closure of Non-Court Judicial Facilities - Anne Arundel County [Admin. Order] | 01-15-16 |
| 8.4 | Closure Due to Emergencies of the State Law Library [Admin. Order] | 01-20-16 |
| 8.5 | Emergency Notification (RAVE) [Sharepoint] | |
| 8.6 | Continuity of Operations (COOP) [Sharepoint] | |
| 9. Access and Security | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | Title | Effective/Revised |
| 9.1 | Information Security - Policy [CourtNet] | 01-2024 |
| 9.2 | Electronic Communications System Usage [CourtNet] | 05-2023 |
| 9.3 | Restrictions to Internet Sites | 06-29-22 |
| 9.4 | Self-Service Password Reset [CourtNet] | |
| 9.5 | Technology Request Form | |
| 9.6 | UCS [CourtNet] | |
| 9.7 | MDEC | |
| 9.8 | MDEC Forms [CourtNet] | |
| 10. Technology Assistance - JIS | |
|---|---|
| 10.1 | SERVICENOW [CourtNet] |
| 11. Communications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | Title | Effective/Revised |
| 11.1 | Judiciary Communications Protocols [CourtNet] | 01-2016 |
| 11.2 | Judiciary Suggestion Box [CourtNet] | |
| 12. Judiciary Strategic Direction | |
|---|---|
| 12.1 | Judiciary Strategic Plan - 2015 - 2020 |
| 12.2 | 2016 Progress Report |
| 12.3 | 2018 Judicial Council Annual Report |
| 12.4 | 2018 Strategic Plan Update |
| 13. AOC Facilities Administration | ||
|---|---|---|
| 13.1 | Judiciary Property - Inventory Control Manual | 10-22-20 |
| 13.2 | Request for Portable Standing Desk | 07-06-23 |
| 14. AOC Security Administration / AOC Building Access & Parking | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14.1 | State Issued Judiciary Badges (State Employees Only) [CourtNet] | |
| 14.2 | State Issued Judiciary Badges (Contractors & Vendors) [CourtNet] | |
| 14.3 | AOC Complex Access Request form (Employees, Contractors & Vendors) [CourtNet] | |
| 14.3.1 | AOC Complex Access Request form (Temporary) [CourtNet] | |
| 14.3.2 | St. John Properties Gym Liability Request Form (Employees Only) [CourtNet] | |
| 14.4 | AOC Complex Parking Policies (For J & K parking lots) [CourtNet] | |