H.B. No. 16 is a comprehensive bill aimed at reforming various aspects of the Texas judicial system, including the establishment of new judicial districts, amendments to court jurisdiction, and enhancements to court security and administrative efficiency. The bill proposes the creation of several new judicial districts, such as the 490th Judicial District in Brazoria County and the 492nd Judicial District in Colorado and Lavaca counties, while renaming the 25th Judicial District to the 522nd Judicial District. It also raises the jurisdictional threshold for civil actions in county courts at law from $250,000 to $325,000 and introduces provisions for the roles of district and county clerks in managing civil and criminal matters. Additionally, the bill repeals outdated sections of the Government Code to streamline judicial processes and enhance the overall efficiency of the judicial system.

The bill further addresses the confidentiality of legal documents, particularly those involving minors, and enhances the training requirements for judges on issues such as family violence and sexual assault. It establishes new provisions for the assignment of judges, including retired judges, to ensure efficient court operations, and mandates the creation of court security committees to develop emergency management plans. The bill also includes amendments to the Human Resources Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, focusing on juvenile boards and court fees, while enhancing mental health service provisions and clarifying the criteria for court-ordered mental health services. Overall, H.B. No. 16 seeks to modernize the Texas judicial framework, improve the handling of cases, and ensure the protection of sensitive information related to judicial personnel and minors.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 24.127, Government Code 24.144, 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 25.0005, 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 71.0354, Government Code 72.016, Government Code 72.083, Government Code 74.024, 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, 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 52, Government Code 71, Election Code 13, Government Code 22, Government Code 75, Family Code 42, Government Code 29, Government Code 30, Tax Code 34, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 22, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30, Government Code 72, Human Resources Code 42, Human Resources Code 152, Government Code 552, Local Government Code 135, Government Code 51, Government Code 406, Government Code 81, Government Code 24, Transportation Code 521, Penal Code 42, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16, Election Code 233, Property Code 21, Government Code 43, Health and Safety Code 171, Family Code 6, Election Code 253, Government Code 25, Occupations Code 455, Local Government Code 615, Government Code 74, Government Code 46, Government Code 121)