Relating to judicial training requirements regarding elder abuse and neglect.

89(R) SB 2933 - House Committee Report version - Bill Text

By: Menéndez, et al.

S.B. No. 2933

(Leach)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to judicial training requirements regarding elder abuse

and neglect.

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

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 22.110, Government Code,

is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 22.110. JUDICIAL INSTRUCTION RELATED TO FAMILY

VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS, AND CHILD
AND

ELDER
ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

SECTION 2. Sections 22.110(a), (b), and (d), Government

Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The court of criminal appeals shall assure that judicial

training related to the problems of family violence, sexual

assault, trafficking of persons, [
and
] child abuse and neglect
, and

elder abuse and neglect
is provided.

(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
, and elder

abuse and neglect
that cover at least two of the topics described in

Subsections
(d)(8) through (12) and (d)(14)
[
(d)(8)-(12)
];

(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.

(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;

(12) medical findings regarding physical abuse,

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

[
and
]

(13) dynamics of family violence
; and

(14) elder abuse and neglect
.

SECTION 3. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective

date of this Act, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals shall adopt

the rules necessary to implement Section 22.110, Government Code,

as amended by this Act.

(b) Section 22.110, Government Code, as amended by this Act,

applies to all judges, masters, referees, and magistrates elected,

appointed, or holding office on or after the effective date of this

Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.