BILL ANALYSIS

Judicial Affairs Committee

By: Shapiro/Sims (Thompson)
04-04-95
Committee Report (Amended)

BACKGROUND

     According to the U.S. Department of Justice sex offenders have
higher recidivism rates than other felons and sex offenders who
engage in such conduct average 380 sex crimes during their
lifetime.  Early intervention by the justice system and the
initiation of appropriate treatment strategies are necessary to
reduce sex crimes and their effects, and there is a greater
likelihood that offenders will receive proper treatment if the
legal professionals who deal with juvenile sex offenders have a
greater understanding of sexual abuse cases.  Family law attorneys
and prosecutors are the legal professionals who have the most
initial contact with juvenile sex offenders.  The Texas Supreme
Court has the authority to promulgate rules to regulate the
practice of law in Texas and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
adopts rules for programs relating to the education and training
for judges and prosecutors and their personnel.


PURPOSE

     This resolution urges the Texas Supreme Court and Texas Court
of Criminal Appeals to promulgate rules to institute a continuing
education curriculum on sexual abuse issues to be required of all
certified family law attorneys and criminal, county, and district
attorneys.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

     It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not
expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution.


RESOLUTION SUMMARY

     This resolution urges the Texas Supreme Court and Texas Court
of Criminal Appeals to promulgate rules to institute a continuing
education curriculum on sexual abuse issues to be required of all
certified family law attorneys and criminal, county, and district
attorneys.


EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

     Committee Amendment No. 1 clarifies the type of attorneys who
should be required to take such continuing education courses by
adding "board" before all references to "certified family law
attorneys".


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

     Pursuant to a public notice posted March 30, 1995, in
accordance with House rules, the Committee on Judicial Affairs met
in a public hearing to consider S.C.R. 16.  The Chair, Rep.
Hartnett, laid out S.C.R. 16 and recognized the House sponsor, Rep.
Thompson, to explain the resolution.  There were no witnesses. 
Rep. Goodman offered up Committee Amendment No. 1 and moved its
adoption; there being no objection, the amendment was adopted. 
Rep. Goodman then moved to report S.C.R. 16 favorably back to the
full House, as amended, with the recommendation that it do pass, be
printed and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars. 
The motion prevailed by the following record vote:  7 ayes, 0 nays,
0 PNV and 2 absent.