H.B. No. 452
AN ACT
relating to the creation of truancy masters for Bell County.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. BELL COUNTY TRUANCY MASTERS
Sec. 54.101. APPOINTMENT. (a) The Commissioners Court of
Bell County may select masters to serve the justice courts of Bell
County having jurisdiction in truancy matters.
(b) The commissioners court shall establish the salary,
benefits, and other compensation of each master position and shall
determine whether the position is full-time or part-time.
(c) A master appointed under this section serves at the
pleasure of the commissioners court.
Sec. 54.102. JURISDICTION. A master appointed under this
subchapter has concurrent jurisdiction with the judges of the
justice of the peace courts of Bell County over cases involving
truant conduct in accordance with Section 65.004, Family Code.
Sec. 54.103. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The Commissioners
Court of Bell County shall establish the powers and duties of a
master appointed under this subchapter.
(b) An order of referral may limit the use or power of a
master.
(c) Unless limited by published local rule, by written
order, or by an order of referral, a master may perform all acts and
take all measures necessary and proper to perform the tasks
assigned in a referral.
(d) A master may administer oaths.
Sec. 54.104. JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. A master has the same
judicial immunity as a district judge.
Sec. 54.105. TRAINING. A master appointed under this
subchapter must successfully complete all training a justice of the
peace is required to complete under state law.
Sec. 54.106. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUMMONS OR ORDER. If an
attorney, party, witness, or any other person fails to comply with a
summons or order, the master may certify that failure in writing to
the referring court for appropriate action.
Sec. 54.107. WITNESSES. (a) A witness appearing before a
master is subject to the penalties of perjury as provided by Chapter
37, Penal Code.
(b) A witness referred to the court under Section 54.106 is
subject to the same penalties and orders that may be imposed on a
witness appearing in a hearing before the court.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 452 was passed by the House on April
18, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 7, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 452 was passed by the Senate on May
17, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor