1-1  By:  Shapiro, Sims                                    S.C.R. No. 16
    1-2        (In the Senate - Filed January 13, 1995; January 16, 1995,
    1-3  read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice;
    1-4  March 20, 1995, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
    1-5  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; March 20, 1995,
    1-6  sent to printer.)
    1-7  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.C.R. No. 16                 By:  Shapiro
    1-8                     SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-9        WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of
   1-10  Justice, sex offenders are far more likely than other felons to
   1-11  repeat their crimes; recent studies indicate that sex offenders who
   1-12  begin engaging in such conduct when they are juveniles average 380
   1-13  sex crimes during their lifetime; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, Early intervention by the justice system and
   1-15  initiation of appropriate treatment strategies are necessary to
   1-16  reduce the personal suffering and social cost of sex crimes, and
   1-17  there is a greater likelihood that offenders will receive proper
   1-18  treatment if there is a greater understanding of sexual abuse cases
   1-19  among the legal professionals who initially come into contact with
   1-20  perpetrators and victims of these offenses; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, Certified family law attorneys and criminal, county,
   1-22  and district attorneys are the members of the legal profession most
   1-23  likely to be on the front lines in dealing with sexual abuse cases,
   1-24  and these attorneys should be required to have specialized
   1-25  continuing education in the characteristics and effects of sexual
   1-26  abuse and the nature of sex offenders; and
   1-27        WHEREAS, The Texas Supreme Court has the authority to
   1-28  regulate the practice of law and to exercise administrative control
   1-29  over the State Bar of Texas by  promulgating rules for the
   1-30  operation, maintenance, and conduct of the legal profession; and
   1-31        WHEREAS, Article XII of the State Bar Rules establishes the
   1-32  minimum continuing legal education requirements that every active
   1-33  member of the bar must meet to remain current on the law and to
   1-34  foster and maintain the high ideals, integrity, learning, and
   1-35  competence in public service that are expected of members of the
   1-36  legal profession; and
   1-37        WHEREAS, Chapter 56, Government Code, creates the judicial
   1-38  and court personnel training fund administered by the Texas Court
   1-39  of Criminal Appeals and authorizes that court to adopt rules for
   1-40  programs relating to education and training for certain judges,
   1-41  prosecuting attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, and court
   1-42  personnel; and
   1-43        WHEREAS, Since the issue of sexual abuse is an increasingly
   1-44  growing problem and its impact on innocent victims is so severe,
   1-45  actions must be taken to make certain that the perpetrators and the
   1-46  victims receive the proper treatment; now, therefore, be it
   1-47        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   1-48  hereby urge the Texas Supreme Court and Texas Court of Criminal
   1-49  Appeals to promulgate rules to institute a continuing education
   1-50  curriculum on sexual abuse issues with particular emphasis on the
   1-51  effects and characteristics of sexual abuse cases and the nature of
   1-52  sex offenders and that this program be required of all certified
   1-53  family law attorneys and criminal, county, and district attorneys
   1-54  licensed to practice law in this state; and, be it further
   1-55        RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward official copies
   1-56  of this resolution to the Texas Supreme Court and Texas Court of
   1-57  Criminal Appeals.
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