SB2941 - Relating to special needs training for judges.

      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.