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 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 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.