H.B. No. 244 is a comprehensive bill that amends various sections of the Government Code, Human Resources Code, and other related statutes to enhance the operations and management of the judicial system in Texas. Key provisions include the establishment of new judicial districts, such as the 522nd Judicial District, and the redefinition of existing districts to improve jurisdictional clarity. The bill raises the threshold for civil cases in statutory county courts from $250,000 to $325,000, allowing these courts to handle a broader range of cases and specifies that juries in civil cases exceeding this threshold will consist of 12 members unless otherwise agreed. Additionally, it introduces new provisions for court security committees, updates the compensation structure for retired judges, and enhances judicial training requirements related to sensitive issues such as family violence and child abuse.

The bill also addresses the confidentiality of personal information for various public servants, including court employees and military personnel, and modifies the requirements for driver's licenses to protect the addresses of individuals in judicial roles. It establishes new categories of individuals eligible for victim status and confidentiality protections, ensuring that sensitive information is safeguarded. Furthermore, the bill mandates the development of emergency management plans for trial courts and outlines the responsibilities of local administrative judges. Overall, H.B. No. 244 aims to modernize the judicial framework in Texas, improve access to justice, and enhance the efficiency and security of court operations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 24.127, Government Code 24.360, Government Code 24.451, Government Code 24.537, Government Code 24.591, Government Code 24.60043, Government Code 24.911, Government Code 24.913, Government Code 43.101, Government Code 43.177, Government Code 46.002, Government Code 22.004, Government Code 25.0003, Government Code 25.0007, Government Code 25.00212, Government Code 25.0022, Government Code 25.0062, Government Code 25.0092, Government Code 25.0212, Government Code 25.1031, Government Code 25.1101, Government Code 25.1102, Government Code 25.2282, Government Code 25.2452, Government Code 25.2704, Government Code 29.014, Government Code 30.00007, Government Code 30.01014, Government Code 25.002201, Government Code 25.00255, Government Code 74.003, Government Code 74.046, Government Code 74.059, Government Code 74.061, Human Resources Code 152.0191, Human Resources Code 152.0521, Human Resources Code 152.0971, Human Resources Code 152.1551, Human Resources Code 152.1621, Government Code 22.110, Government Code 74.042, Government Code 51.903, Government Code 57.002, Government Code 71.0354, Government Code 72.016, Government Code 72.083, Government Code 74.024, Government Code 74.051, Government Code 74.091, Government Code 75.001, Government Code 121.002, Local Government Code 135.101, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.073, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30.015, Election Code 233.006, Family Code 6.4035, Government Code 22.220, Government Code 406.026, Property Code 21.049, Tax Code 34.03, Transportation Code 521.243, Family Code 42.002, Human Resources Code 42.0426, Human Resources Code 152.00145, Government Code 22.002, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30.0035, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 22.004, Estates Code 1162.007, Government Code 52.047, Health and Safety Code 171.208, Occupations Code 455.351, Election Code 13.0021, Election Code 253.152, Government Code 81.113, Government Code 552.024, Government Code 552.1175, Local Government Code 615.003, Penal Code 42.07, Transportation Code 521.121 (Estates Code 1162, Government Code 30, Government Code 71, Election Code 253, Government Code 52, Government Code 72, Tax Code 34, Human Resources Code 152, Transportation Code 521, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16, Human Resources Code 42, Government Code 75, Government Code 24, Family Code 42, Government Code 46, Government Code 81, Government Code 29, Family Code 6, Occupations Code 455, Government Code 552, Government Code 51, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 22, Election Code 233, Government Code 22, Government Code 74, Local Government Code 135, Government Code 25, Health and Safety Code 171, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30, Penal Code 42, Election Code 13, Government Code 121, Government Code 406, Government Code 57, Property Code 21, Local Government Code 615, Government Code 43)