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AB-1846 Judicial officers: training: sexual abuse and assault.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 06/27/2024 09:00 PM
AB1846:v97#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Senate  June 27, 2024
Amended  IN  Assembly  March 13, 2024

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 1846


Introduced by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan
(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Petrie-Norris)

January 17, 2024


An act to add Section 68556 to the Government Code, relating to courts.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1846, as amended, Bauer-Kahan. Judicial officers: training: sexual abuse and assault.
Existing law requires the Judicial Council to establish judicial training programs for individuals who perform duties in domestic violence matters. Existing law requires the training programs to include a domestic violence session in any orientation session for newly appointed or elected judges and an annual training session in domestic violence. Existing law requires the training programs to include instruction in all aspects of domestic violence, including, but not limited to, the detriment to children of residing with a person who perpetrates domestic violence.
This bill would require the Judicial Council to establish, on or before July 1, 2026, judicial training programs for judges related to best practices related to treatment of sexual abuse and assault victims in courtroom cases. This bill would require the development of the training programs to include input by victim advocacy groups. be informed by research and evidence on the impact of sexual abuse and assault on victims. The bill would require, commencing January 1, 2027, that the training programs be provided to all newly appointed or elected judges and to all judicial officers on an annual basis. all newly appointed or elected judges as part of any orientation session or initial training, and all judicial officers upon assignment to a family court, juvenile court, criminal court, and any others deemed appropriate by the Judicial Council. The bill would also require the training to be made available to all judicial officers on an annual basis. The bill would authorize the Judicial Council to conduct the above-described training either in person or through remote technology.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 68556 is added to the Government Code, to read:

68556.
 (a) On or before July 1, 2026, the Judicial Council shall establish judicial training programs for judges related to best practices related to treatment of alleged sexual abuse and assault victims in courtroom cases. The development of the training programs shall include input by victim advocacy groups. be informed by research and evidence on the impact of sexual abuse and assault on victims.
(b) (1) Commencing January 1, 2027, the training programs developed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be provided to all newly appointed or elected judges and to all judicial officers on an annual basis. to both of the following:
(A) All newly appointed or elected judges as part of any orientation session or initial training.
(B) All judicial officers upon assignment to a family court, juvenile court, criminal court, and any others deemed appropriate by the Judicial Council.
(2) The training shall be made available to all judicial officers on an annual basis.
(c) The Judicial Council, at its discretion, may offer the training required by this section in person or by using remote technology.