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Supreme Court Ethics and Transparency: New Rules for Recusal and Complaints

This Act establishes a formal code of ethics for Supreme Court Justices and creates an independent panel to review ethics complaints, aiming to boost public confidence. It mandates broader disclosure of gifts, income, and financial ties for Justices and their families, and expands the circumstances under which a Justice must step aside from a case. Citizens gain a formal mechanism for filing ethics complaints against Justices.
Key points
Mandatory, public Code of Conduct must be established for Supreme Court Justices within 180 days.
Creation of an independent Judicial Investigation Panel (composed of 5 randomly selected circuit chief judges) to review ethics complaints against Justices.
Expanded requirements for Justices to disqualify themselves (recusal), including conflicts related to lobbying or substantial financial support for their appointment from parties in the dispute within the last 6 years.
Increased financial transparency: Justices and their law clerks must disclose all gifts, income, and reimbursements received.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_359
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Process start date: 2023-02-09