Bill > HB1363

This bill introduces mandatory implicit bias training for justices, judges, judicial officers, and certain court personnel in Texas, requiring them to complete a two-hour course every two years on understanding and mitigating unconscious biases related to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, disability, and sexual harassment. The training, which must be approved by the Court of Criminal Appeals, will cover the social science of implicit bias, its historical context, how bias affects institutional policies and practices, and strategies to reduce its impact on judicial proceedings. Additionally, the bill requires attorneys licensed in Texas to complete one hour of continuing legal education focused on recognizing and addressing implicit biases, exploring cultural differences, and understanding how these biases can undermine confidence in the legal system. Instructors for both judicial and attorney training must have academic training or experience in teaching about implicit bias. The implementation timeline allows for the development of training programs, with initial compliance required by January 1, 2028, and the act taking effect on September 1, 2025. The goal of this legislation is to promote more equitable and fair treatment within the judicial system by increasing awareness and providing tools to counteract unconscious biases.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1363