79R1220 UM-D
By: Talton H.B. No. 1220
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the appointment of mental health masters.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 574.0085(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The county judge may appoint a full-time or a part-time
master to preside over the proceedings for court-ordered mental
health services or another proceeding under this title if the
commissioners court of a county in which the court has jurisdiction
authorizes the employment of a master.
SECTION 2. Article 2.09, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
Art. 2.09. WHO ARE MAGISTRATES. Each of the following
officers is a magistrate within the meaning of this Code: The
justices of the Supreme Court, the judges of the Court of Criminal
Appeals, the justices of the Courts of Appeals, the judges of the
District Court, the magistrates appointed by the judges of the
district courts of Bexar County, Dallas County, or Tarrant County
that give preference to criminal cases, the criminal law hearing
officers for Harris County appointed under Subchapter L, Chapter
54, Government Code, the magistrates appointed by the judges of the
district courts of Lubbock County or Webb County, the magistrates
appointed by the judges of the criminal district courts of Dallas
County or Tarrant County, the masters appointed by the judges of the
district courts and the county courts at law that give preference to
criminal cases in Jefferson County, the magistrates appointed by
the judges of the district courts and the statutory county courts of
Williamson County, the magistrates appointed by the judges of the
district courts and statutory county courts that give preference to
criminal cases in Travis County, the county judges, the judges of
the county courts at law, judges of the county criminal courts, the
judges of statutory probate courts, the masters appointed under
Section 574.0085, Health and Safety Code, the associate judges
appointed by the judges of the statutory probate courts under
Subchapter G, Chapter 54, Government Code, the justices of the
peace, the mayors and recorders and the judges of the municipal
courts of incorporated cities or towns.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.