86R20120 YDB-F
 
  By: Shine, Buckley H.B. No. 452
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of truancy masters for Bell County.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER B. BELL COUNTY TRUANCY MASTERS
         Sec. 54.101.  APPOINTMENT. (a) The Commissioners Court of
  Bell County may select masters to serve the justice courts of Bell
  County having jurisdiction in truancy matters.
         (b)  The commissioners court shall establish the salary,
  benefits, and other compensation of each master position and shall
  determine whether the position is full-time or part-time.
         (c)  A master appointed under this section serves at the
  pleasure of the commissioners court.
         Sec. 54.102.  JURISDICTION. A master appointed under this
  subchapter has concurrent jurisdiction with the judges of the
  justice of the peace courts of Bell County over cases involving
  truant conduct in accordance with Section 65.004, Family Code.
         Sec. 54.103.  POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The Commissioners
  Court of Bell County shall establish the powers and duties of a
  master appointed under this subchapter.
         (b)  An order of referral may limit the use or power of a
  master.
         (c)  Unless limited by published local rule, by written
  order, or by an order of referral, a master may perform all acts and
  take all measures necessary and proper to perform the tasks
  assigned in a referral.
         (d)  A master may administer oaths.
         Sec. 54.104.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. A master has the same
  judicial immunity as a district judge.
         Sec. 54.105.  TRAINING. A master appointed under this
  subchapter must successfully complete all training a justice of the
  peace is required to complete under state law.
         Sec. 54.106.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUMMONS OR ORDER. If an
  attorney, party, witness, or any other person fails to comply with a
  summons or order, the master may certify that failure in writing to
  the referring court for appropriate action.
         Sec. 54.107.  WITNESSES. (a) A witness appearing before a
  master is subject to the penalties of perjury as provided by Chapter
  37, Penal Code.
         (b)  A witness referred to the court under Section 54.106 is
  subject to the same penalties and orders that may be imposed on a
  witness appearing in a hearing before the court.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.