H.B. No. 2737
AN ACT
relating to judicial guidance related to child protective services
cases and juvenile cases.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 22.0135 to read as follows:
Sec. 22.0135. JUDICIAL GUIDANCE RELATED TO CHILD PROTECTIVE
SERVICES CASES AND JUVENILE CASES. (a) The supreme court, in
conjunction with the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial
Commission for Children, Youth and Families, annually shall provide
guidance to judges who preside over child protective services cases
or juvenile cases to es
tablish greater uniformity across the state
for:
(1) in child protective services cases, issues related
to:
(A) placement of children with severe mental
health issues;
(B) changes in placement; and
(C) final termination of parental rights; and
(2) in juvenile cases, issues related to:
(A) placement of children with severe mental
health issues;
(B) the release of children detained in juvenile
detention facilities;
(C) certification of juveniles to stand trial as
adults;
(D) a child's appearance before a court in a
judicial proceeding, including the use of a restraint on the child
and the clothing worn by the child during the proceeding; and
(E) commitment of children to the Texas Juvenile
Justice Department.
(b) The supreme court shall adopt the rules necessary to
accomplish the purposes of this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2737 was passed by the House on May 2,
2019, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2737 was passed by the Senate on May
22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor