Whereas , The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to correct and extend forthwith the one trial system for civil cases pilot program in Norfolk and Middlesex counties which would otherwise expire on July 1, 1998, it is therefore hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 11 of chapter 358 of the acts of 1996 is hereby amended by striking out the words "appeals of denials" and inserting in place thereof the following words:- appeals in the district court of denials.

SECTION 2. Section 13 of said chapter 358 is hereby amended by striking out the words "two years" and inserting in place thereof the following words:- 49 months.

SECTION 3. Section 14 of said chapter 358 is hereby amended by striking out the words "After July first, nineteen hundred and ninety-eight" and inserting in place thereof the following words:- After July 31, 2000.

SECTION 4. Section 15 of said chapter 358 is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- The chief justice for administration and management of the trial court, in consultation with the chief justices for the superior court and the district court departments, shall prepare and file with the supreme judicial court and with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the house and senate committees on ways and means, an interim report on the implementation of this act, on or before October 31, 1998 and a final report on said implementation on or before October 31, 1999.