88R17152 JTZ-F     By: Alvarado, et al. S.B. No. 855     (Hull, Leach, Johnson of Dallas, Vasut, Moody)     Substitute the following for S.B. No. 855:  No.       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to judicial training requirements regarding family   violence.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 22.110, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (b) and (d) and adding Subsection (d-2) 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 [to   complete at least 12 hours of the training] within the judge's first   term of office or the judicial officer's first four years of service   to complete and provide [a method for] certification of completion   of 12 hours of [that] training that include at least:                      (A)  [. At least] four hours [of the training must   be] dedicated to issues related to trafficking of persons and child   abuse and neglect that cover [and must cover] at least two of the   topics described in Subsections (d)(8)-(12);                      (B)  [. At least] six hours [of the training must   be] 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)  [. The rules must require] each judge and judicial   officer [to complete an additional five hours of training] 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)  [. At least] two hours [of the additional   training must be] 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 [issues related to   trafficking of persons and child abuse and neglect. The rules must   exempt from the training requirement of this subsection each judge   or judicial officer who files an affidavit stating that the judge or   judicial officer does not hear any cases involving family violence,   sexual assault, trafficking of persons, or child abuse and   neglect].          (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 [family   violence,] 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; [and]                (12)  medical findings regarding physical abuse,   sexual abuse, trafficking of persons, and child abuse and neglect;   and                (13)  dynamics of family violence.          (d-2)  The training described by Subsection (d)(13) must be   developed in consultation with a statewide family violence advocacy   organization.          SECTION 2.  (a) Not later than December 1, 2023, the Texas   Court of Criminal Appeals shall adopt the rules necessary to   provide the training required under Section 22.110, Government   Code, as amended by this Act.          (b)  Notwithstanding Section 22.110, Government Code, as   amended by this Act, a judge, master, referee, or magistrate who is   in office on the effective date of this Act must complete the   training required by Section 22.110, Government Code, as amended by   this Act, as applicable, not later than December 1, 2025.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.