TRUST Act

Summary

Requires that complaints and investigations into federal judges continue and be completed even if the judge resigns, retires under chapter 17, or dies. It amends existing judicial conduct statutes so resignation, retirement, or death cannot be used as a reason to dismiss a complaint or stop an investigation, and special committees must finish and file their reports regardless of the judge’s status. The change directs judicial oversight bodies to proceed to final disposition and reporting in misconduct cases despite changes in a judge’s employment or life status. The text does not create new penalties or change benefit rules; it focuses on completion and transparency of misconduct processes.

• Makes resignation, retirement under chapter 17, or death of a judge insufficient grounds to dismiss a misconduct complaint.
• Requires special committees to complete investigations and file reports even if the subject judge leaves office or dies.
• Amends 28 U.S.C. §§ 352 and 353 to add and clarify these procedural requirements.
• Focuses on investigatory and reporting obligations, not on creating new penalties or changing benefits.
• Increases transparency by ensuring final reports are produced in more misconduct cases.
• Likely increases administrative work for judicial councils and special committees.
• Does not specify additional funding, timelines, or enforcement measures for post‑departure discipline.