H.B. No. 1363 aims to implement mandatory implicit bias training for justices, judges, judicial officers, certain court personnel, and attorneys licensed in Texas. The bill amends Chapter 56 of the Government Code, renaming it to include a Judicial and Court Personnel Training Fund and establishing a new Subchapter B focused on Judicial Training. It specifies that individuals subject to this training must complete a course covering various aspects of implicit bias, including its social science background, historical context, and strategies to mitigate its effects in the legal system. The Court of Criminal Appeals is tasked with approving the training courses and ensuring compliance.

Additionally, the bill mandates that attorneys complete continuing education on implicit bias, requiring one hour of training for each compliance period. The State Bar of Texas will oversee the approval of these courses, which must address recognizing and addressing implicit biases, examining stereotypes, and understanding the impact of diversity on judicial proceedings. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court are required to adopt necessary rules by January 1, 2026, to facilitate this training, with existing justices and judges given until January 1, 2028, to complete their initial training. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 56.005, Government Code 56.006, Government Code 56.007 (Government Code 56)