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 establish, on or before July 1, 2025, 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 that the training programs include a sexual abuse and assault victim session in any orientation session conducted for newly appointed or elected judges and an annual training session in sexual assault and abuse. This bill would require the trainings development of the training programs to include input by victim advocacy groups. The bill would require, commencing January 1, 2026, that the training programs be provided to all newly appointed or elected judges and to all judicial officers on an annual basis.