By: Menéndez, et al.	S.B. No. 2933

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to judicial training requirements regarding elder abuse
	and neglect.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 22.110, Government Code,
	is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 22.110.  JUDICIAL INSTRUCTION RELATED TO FAMILY
	VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS, AND CHILD AND
	ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
	SECTION 2.  Sections 22.110(a), (b), and (d), Government
	Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The court of criminal appeals shall assure that judicial
	training related to the problems of family violence, sexual
	assault, trafficking of persons, [and] child abuse and neglect, and
	elder abuse and neglect is provided.
	(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, and elder
	abuse and neglect that cover at least two of the topics described in
	Subsections (d)(8) through (12) and (d)(14) [(d)(8)-(12)];
	(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.
	(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 and neglect.
	SECTION 3.  (a)  As soon as practicable after the effective
	date of this Act, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals shall adopt
	the rules necessary to implement Section 22.110, Government Code,
	as amended by this Act.
	(b)  Section 22.110, Government Code, as amended by this Act,
	applies to all judges, masters, referees, and magistrates elected,
	appointed, or holding office on or after the effective date of this
	Act.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.