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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of truancy masters for Bell County. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter B to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER B. BELL COUNTY TRUANCY MASTERS |
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Sec. 54.101. APPOINTMENT. (a) The Commissioners Court of |
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Bell County may select masters to serve the justice courts of Bell |
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County having jurisdiction in truancy matters. |
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(b) The commissioners court shall establish the minimum |
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qualifications, salary, benefits, and other compensation of each |
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master position and shall determine whether the position is |
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full-time or part-time. |
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(c) A master appointed under this section serves at the |
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pleasure of the commissioners court. |
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Sec. 54.102. JURISDICTION. A master appointed under this |
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subchapter has concurrent jurisdiction with the judges of the |
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justice of the peace courts of Bell County over cases involving |
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truant conduct in accordance with Section 65.004, Family Code. |
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Sec. 54.103. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The Commissioners |
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Court of Bell County shall establish the powers and duties of a |
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master appointed under this subchapter. |
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(b) An order of referral may limit the use or power of a |
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master. |
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(c) Unless limited by published local rule, by written |
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order, or by an order of referral, a master may perform all acts and |
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take all measures necessary and proper to perform the tasks |
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assigned in a referral. |
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(d) A master may administer oaths. |
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Sec. 54.104. JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. A master has the same |
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judicial immunity as a district judge. |
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Sec. 54.105. TRAINING. A master appointed under this |
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subchapter must successfully complete all training a justice of the |
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peace is required to complete under state law. |
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Sec. 54.106. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUMMONS OR ORDER. If an |
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attorney, party, witness, or any other person fails to comply with a |
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summons or order, the master may certify that failure in writing to |
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the referring court for appropriate action. |
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Sec. 54.107. WITNESSES. (a) A witness appearing before a |
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master is subject to the penalties of perjury as provided by Chapter |
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37, Penal Code. |
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(b) A witness referred to the court under Section 54.106 is |
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subject to the same penalties and orders that may be imposed on a |
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witness appearing in a hearing before the court. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |