SECTION 1. Section 8-15-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 8-15 entitled "Court Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows:

8-15-3. Power to assign judges. -- In order to aid in the prompt disposition of judicial business, the chief justice shall have power to assign a judge on the district of any trial court to sit in the superior or family any other trial courts subject to the approval of the presiding justice of the superior court, if the district judge is to be assigned to that court, or the chief judge of the family court, if the district judge is to be assigned to that court; of both the sending and the receiving courts and with the consent of the judge to be assigned; such assignment to be for a temporary designated period which designated period shall be determined by the chief justice subject to the approval of the presiding justice or the chief judge of both the sending and receiving courts and with the consent of the judge to be assigned of no longer than thirty (30) calendar days as shall be agreed upon by the chief justice and the presiding justice of the superior court or the chief judge of the family court as the case may be; provided however, that if the thirty (30) day designated period shall expire during a trial the justice may sit until the trial is completed; and, provided, further, that the justice shall have the power to sit and exercise the function of a justice of the superior court or family receiving court for the purpose of rendering a decision or completing any matter pending before him or her as a justice of the superior court or family receiving court at the expiration of the period. Included in such matters shall be the hearing of motions for new trials, sentencing, allowance of bills of exceptions and transcripts, and any and all other functions necessary to the conclusion of cases heard before him or her as a superior or family court justice of the receiving court. The foregoing provisions shall be interpreted and construed liberally for the purpose of accomplishing the purpose thereof. No other judge may be assigned to another court other than herein provided. The chief justice may terminate the temporary assignment sooner than as agreed upon if he or she determines that the need for the assignment no longer exists.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.