§51-3-20. Judicial officer education and training.

(a) The Supreme Court of Appeals may, in its discretion, pay a newly appointed or elected circuit judge, family court judge, or magistrate per diem compensation and expenses for attending any training and education session prior to taking the oath of office and beginning his or her term.

(b) The Supreme Court of Appeals may compensate the judicial officers specified in subsection (a) of this section up to a rate equivalent to the daily per diem rate of senior status circuit judges, senior status family court judges, or senior status magistrates for each required day of attendance, plus travel expenses.