Supreme Court Ethics Act

To amend title 28, United States Code, to provide for a code of conduct for justices and judges of the courts of the United States, establish an ethics investigations counsel, and require disclosure of recusals. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supreme Court Ethics Act 2. Code of conduct (a) In general Chapter 57 964. Code of conduct Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Judicial Conference of the United States shall issue a code of conduct, which applies to each justice and judge of the courts of the United States, except that the code of conduct may include provisions that are applicable only to certain categories of judges or justices. . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 57 964. Code of conduct. . 3. Establishment of Ethics Investigations Counsel and reporting protocol (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Judicial Conference of the United States issues a code of conduct under section 964 of title 28, United States Code, as added by section 2(a) of this Act, the Supreme Court of the United States shall appoint and fix the compensation of an Ethics Investigations Counsel who shall adopt rules providing for the enforcement of the code of conduct, including a process to receive from the public information about potential violations of the code of conduct by justices of the Supreme Court. (b) Term The Ethics Investigation Counsel shall serve a term of 4 years. (c) Removal The Ethics Investigation Counsel may be removed for cause by the Supreme Court of the United States. (d) Process The process shall include the establishment of a method for the submission of the information described in subsection (a) in electronic form. (e) Investigations The Ethics Investigations Counsel appointed under this section shall conduct investigations into potential violations of the code of conduct described in section 964 of title 28, United States Code, as added by section 2(a) of this Act, and other conduct prejudicial to the ethical, effective, and expeditious administration of the business of the Supreme Court of the United States. (f) Assistants The Ethics Investigations Counsel appointed under this section may, with the approval of the Chief Justice of the United States, appoint necessary assistants and fix their compensation. (g) Report The Ethics Investigations Counsel appointed under this section shall issue an annual public report describing the complaints described in subsection (a) and any steps taken to investigate, resolve, or rehabilitate the conduct detailed in the complaint. 4. Recusal of Justices (a) In general In any case in which a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States disqualifies himself or herself in a proceeding under section 455 of title 28, United States Code, the justice shall disclose in the public record of the proceeding the reasons for the disqualification. (b) Denial of motion To disqualify If a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States denies a motion brought by a party to a proceeding before the Court that the justice should be disqualified in the proceeding under section 455 of title 28, United States Code, the justice shall disclose in the public record of the proceeding the reasons for the denial of the motion.

Summary: Supreme Court Ethics Act This bill establishes a new statutory requirement for the Judicial Conference of the United States to issue a judicial code of conduct for judges and justices of U.S. courts, including Justices of the Supreme Court. Currently, the Judicial Conference issues a code of conduct for judges of U.S. courts (but not for Justices of the Supreme Court). To enforce the code of conduct for Justices of the Supreme Court, the bill requires the Supreme Court to appoint an ethics investigations counsel. The ethics investigations counsel must adopt rules to enforce the code of conduct, including a process to receive public complaints of potential violations; investigate complaints; and issue an annual public report describing the complaints and the steps taken to address the complaints. Finally, the bill requires a Justice of the Supreme Court to publicly disclose the reasons for disqualifying himself or herself in a proceeding or the reasons for denying a motion to disqualify himself or herself in a proceeding.