New Statutory Responsibilities
Title IV of the Court Reform and Access to Justice Act, signed by the President on November 19, 1988, made four changes in the Center's organic statute. It
- directed the Board to develop and encourage historical programs about the judicial branch, in essence making the Center the historical office for the federal judiciary;
- authorized the Center to provide educational services to non-judicial branch employees, where such programs would improve the operation of the courts (for example, programs for arbitrators and mediators, and perhaps some private defense counsel who serve under the Criminal Justice Act, and for court interpreters);
- established the Federal Judicial Center Foundation to receive gifts to enhance and facilitate the Center's work; and
- formally recognized the office of deputy director. The deputy director, like the director, is to be appointed by the Board and serve at its pleasure.