Clerk discontinuance of court-related functions.

(1) No function of the clerk of court being performed in support of the trial courts by the individual clerks of court on July 1, 2004, may be discontinued or substantially modified on a unilateral basis except pursuant to this section. A clerk of court may discontinue performing a function performed in support of the trial court only if:

(a) The chief judge of the circuit has consented in writing to the discontinuance or substantial modification of the function performed in support of the trial court; or

(b) The clerk of court has given written notice of the intention to substantially modify or discontinue a function performed in support of the trial court at least 1 year before the effective date of the discontinuance or substantial modification of the function.

(2) “Substantial modification” of a function performed in support of the trial court means a modification which has the effect of reducing the level of services provided to the trial court.