1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to judicial training.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
 1-5     amended by adding Section 22.111 to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 22.111.  JUDICIAL TRAINING RELATED TO ETHNIC, CULTURAL,
 1-7     AND RACIAL AWARENESS. (a)  The court of criminal appeals shall
 1-8     adopt rules requiring training of judges in issues related to
 1-9     racial, cultural, and ethnic awareness, including training
1-10     regarding relevant sections in the Code of Judicial Conduct.
1-11           (b)  The rules must require each judge subject to the Rules
1-12     of Judicial Education as promulgated by the court of criminal
1-13     appeals to complete the training within the judge's first four
1-14     years of service and to complete additional training during each
1-15     additional four years of service.
1-16           (c)  In adopting the rules, the court of criminal appeals may
1-17     consult with professional groups and associations in the state that
1-18     have expertise in the subject matter to obtain the recommendations
1-19     of those groups or associations for instruction and content.
1-20           (d)  The instruction must include information about issues
1-21     related to race fairness and ethnic and cultural awareness.
1-22           (e)  The court of criminal appeals or the court's designee
1-23     shall report the name of a judge subject to the Rules of Judicial
1-24     Education as promulgated by the court of criminal appeals who does
 2-1     not comply with the requirements of this section to the State
 2-2     Commission on Judicial Conduct.
 2-3           SECTION 2. (a)  This Act takes effect August 31, 2001.  Each
 2-4     judge who is in office on August 31, 2001, must complete the
 2-5     judicial training required by Section 22.111, Government Code, as
 2-6     added by this Act, notwithstanding the requirement of that section
 2-7     that the training be completed within the first four years of
 2-8     service.  The training must be completed before the judge who is in
 2-9     office on August 31, 2001, completes another year of service.
2-10           (b)  A judge who takes office on or after September 1, 2001,
2-11     and who has not otherwise satisfied the requirements of Section
2-12     22.111, Government Code, as added by this Act, must complete the
2-13     judicial training required by that section within the judge's first
2-14     four years of service.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 546 was passed by the House on May
         11, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 546 was passed by the Senate on May
         21, 2001, by a viva-voce vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  __________________________
                              Date
                    __________________________
                            Governor