SB2933 - Relating to judicial training requirements regarding elder abuse and neglect.

      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.