By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2933
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to elder abuse 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;
(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.
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.