H.B. No. 1793
AN ACT
relating to judicial instruction for judges who hear complaints
against children alleging violations of certain misdemeanor
offenses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 22.1105 to read as follows:
Sec. 22.1105. JUDICIAL INSTRUCTION RELATED TO CERTAIN
ALLEGED CHILD OFFENDERS. (a) Each judge of a court with
jurisdiction to hear a complaint against a child alleging a
violation of a misdemeanor offense punishable by fine only, other
than a traffic offense or public intoxication or a violation of a
penal ordinance of a political subdivision other than a traffic
offense, shall complete a course of instruction related to
understanding relevant issues of child welfare and the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.)
every judicial academic year that ends in a 0 or a 5.
(b) The court of criminal appeals shall adopt the rules
necessary to provide for the training required under Subsection
(a). The rules must require a judge described by Subsection (a) to
complete two hours of the required training every judicial academic
year that ends in a 0 or a 5 as part of the training the judge is
required to complete under rules adopted by the court of criminal
appeals or other law.
(c) In adopting the rules, the court of criminal appeals may
consult with the supreme court and with professional groups and
associations in this state that have expertise in the subject
matter to obtain the recommendations of those groups or
associations for instructional content.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than March 10, 2010, the Texas
Court of Criminal Appeals shall adopt the rules necessary to
provide the training required under Section 22.1105, Government
Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 22.1105, Government Code, as
added by this Act, a judge who is in office on the effective date of
this Act is not required to complete the judicial training required
by Section 22.1105 before September 1, 2010.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1793 was passed by the House on April
24, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 138, Nays 1, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1793 was passed by the Senate on May
13, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor