Special needs joins judicial training topics

The text as introduced · 610 words

By: Menéndez
S.B. No. 2941

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to special needs training for judges.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 22.110, Government Code, is amended by adding

Subsection (b) to read as follows:

(b) The court of criminal appeals shall adopt the rules

necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section. The rules

must require:

(1) each district judge, judge of a statutory county court,

associate judge appointed under Chapter 54A of this code or Chapter

201, Family Code, master, referee, and magistrate within the

judge's first term of office or the judicial officer's first four

years of service to complete and provide certification of

completion of 12 hours of training that include at least:

(A) four hours dedicated to issues related to

trafficking of persons and child abuse and neglect that cover

at least two of the topics described in Subsections

(d)(8)- (12) (14);

(B) six hours dedicated to the training described by

Subsections (d)(5), (6), and (7); and

(C) one hour dedicated to the training described by

Subsection (d)(13);

(2) each judge and judicial officer during each additional

term in office or four years of service to complete and provide

certification of completion of an additional five hours of training

that include at least:

(A) two hours dedicated to the training described by

Subsections (d)(11) and (12); and

(B) one hour dedicated to the training described by

Subsection (d)(13); and

(3) each judge of a court with primary responsibility for

family law or family violence matters to complete and provide

certification of completion of an additional hour of training

described by Subsection (d)(13) every two years.

(c) In adopting the rules, the court of criminal appeals may

consult with the supreme court and with professional groups and

associations in the state that have expertise in the subject matter

to obtain the recommendations of those groups or associations for

instruction content.

(d) The instruction must include information about:

(1) statutory and case law relating to videotaping a child's

testimony and relating to competency of children to testify;

(2) methods for eliminating the trauma to the child caused

by the court process;

(3) case law, statutory law, and procedural rules relating

to family violence, sexual assault, trafficking of persons, and

child abuse and neglect;

(4) methods for providing protection for victims of family

violence, sexual assault, trafficking of persons, and child abuse

and neglect;

(5) available community and state resources for counseling

and other aid to victims and to offenders;

(6) gender bias in the judicial process;

(7) dynamics and effects of being a victim of sexual

assault, trafficking of persons, or child abuse and neglect;

(8) dynamics of sexual abuse of children, including child

abuse accommodation syndrome and grooming;

(9) impact of substance abuse on an unborn child and on a

person's ability to care for a child;

(10) issues of attachment and bonding between children and

caregivers;

(11) issues of child development that pertain to

trafficking of persons and child abuse and neglect; and

(12) medical findings regarding physical abuse, sexual

abuse, trafficking of persons, and child abuse and neglect;

(13) dynamics of family violence . ; and

(14) specíal needs.

SECTION 2.(a) As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the Texas Supreme Court shall adopt the rules necessary

to implement Section 22.110, Government Code, as added by this Act.

(b) The changes in law made by Section 22.110, Government

Code, as added by this Act, apply to all judges elected, appointed,

or holding office on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.