79R4950 YDB-F

By:  Madden                                                       H.B. No. 1192



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to court personnel education.                                        
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 27.056, Government Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as 
follows:
	(c)  The clerk shall:                                                          
		(1)  maintain central docket records for all cases 
filed in the justice court;
		(2)  maintain an index of all court judgments for cases 
arising in the justice court;  [and]
		(3)  successfully complete a 16-hour course on the 
performance of a clerk's duties not later than the first 
anniversary of the date the person is designated to serve as clerk 
of the justice court; and
		(4)  perform the other duties required by law and 
assist the judge in handling matters before the court.
	(d)  The course required under Subsection (c)(3) may be 
completed in an accredited state-supported institution of higher 
education.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 27, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 27.0565 to read as follows:
	Sec. 27.0565.  COURT PERSONNEL. (a) A person who is an 
employee of a justice court must successfully complete a 16-hour 
course on the performance of the person's duties for the court not 
later than the first anniversary of the date the person is employed 
by the justice court.
	(b)  The course required under Subsection (a) may be 
completed in an accredited state-supported institution of higher 
education.
	SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act to Sections 
27.056(c)(3) and 27.0565, Government Code, apply to a person 
serving as a clerk or employee for a justice court on or after the 
effective date of this Act.  A person serving as a clerk or employee 
on the effective date of this Act must comply with Section 
27.056(c)(3) or 27.0565, Government Code, on or before September 1, 
2006.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.