TITLE: Relating to judicial guidance related to child protective services cases and juvenile cases.

SUMMARY: Relating to judicial guidance related to child protective services cases and juvenile cases.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to judicial guidance related to child protective services cases and juvenile cases. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 22, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 22.0135 to read as follows: Sec. 22.0135. JUDICIAL GUIDANCE RELATED TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CASES AND JUVENILE CASES. (a) The supreme court, in conjunction with the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families, annually shall provide guidance to judges who preside over child protective services cases or juvenile cases to es tablish greater uniformity across the state for: (1) in child protective services cases, issues related to: (A) placement of children with severe mental health issues; (B) changes in placement; and (C) final termination of parental rights; and (2) in juvenile cases, issues related to: (A) placement of children with severe mental health issues; (B) the release of children detained in juvenile detention facilities; (C) certification of juveniles to stand trial as adults; (D) a child's appearance before a court in a judicial proceeding, including the use of a restraint on the child and the clothing worn by the child during the proceeding; and (E) commitment of children to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. (b) The supreme court shall adopt the rules necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.