H.B. No. 1793
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to judicial instruction for judges who hear complaints
  against children alleging violations of certain misdemeanor
  offenses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 22.1105 to read as follows:
         Sec. 22.1105.  JUDICIAL INSTRUCTION RELATED TO CERTAIN
  ALLEGED CHILD OFFENDERS.  (a)  Each judge of a court with
  jurisdiction to hear a complaint against a child alleging a
  violation of a misdemeanor offense punishable by fine only, other
  than a traffic offense or public intoxication or a violation of a
  penal ordinance of a political subdivision other than a traffic
  offense, shall complete a course of instruction related to
  understanding relevant issues of child welfare and the Individuals
  with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.)
  every judicial academic year that ends in a 0 or a 5.
         (b)  The court of criminal appeals shall adopt the rules
  necessary to provide for the training required under Subsection
  (a). The rules must require a judge described by Subsection (a) to
  complete two hours of the required training every judicial academic
  year that ends in a 0 or a 5 as part of the training the judge is
  required to complete under rules adopted by the court of criminal
  appeals or other law.
         (c)  In adopting the rules, the court of criminal appeals may
  consult with the supreme court and with professional groups and
  associations in this state that have expertise in the subject
  matter to obtain the recommendations of those groups or
  associations for instructional content.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  Not later than March 10, 2010, the Texas
  Court of Criminal Appeals shall adopt the rules necessary to
  provide the training required under Section 22.1105, Government
  Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 22.1105, Government Code, as
  added by this Act, a judge who is in office on the effective date of
  this Act is not required to complete the judicial training required
  by Section 22.1105 before September 1, 2010.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1793 was passed by the House on April
  24, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 138, Nays 1, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1793 was passed by the Senate on May
  13, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor