The Texas population over age 65 increased 25.5 percent between 2000 and 2010 and is expected to triple in size by the year 2050. Many of these individuals and other disabled adults will interact with the courts through the guardianship system. After significant study on the issue, the Texas Judicial Council recommended several reforms to the way that guardianship cases are processed in the county courts. Those reforms centered around five key areas: 1) encouraging the use of alternatives to guardianship where feasible; 2) providing judges additional information regarding the potential improvement of proposed ward's in the certificate of medical examination; 3) ensuring that judges consider a proposed ward's capacity to retain the ability to make decisions about their personal residence and requiring guardians to notify interested parties prior to moving the ward to a more restrictive residence; 4) requiring attorneys in guardianship cases to have sufficient training in this complicated area of the law; and 5) establishing a statutory framework for the guardianship alternative of a supported decision-making agreement. House Bill 39, relating to guardianships for incapacitated persons and to substitutes for guardianship for certain adults with disabilities, by Rep. John Smithee and Sen. Judith Zaffirini, implemented these reforms.

In an effort to ensure sustainable funding for eFileTexas, Senate Bill 1139 raises the eFiling fee from $20 to $30 effective September 1. The filing fee increase applies to civil cases filed in the supreme court, the courts of appeals, district courts, county courts, statutory county courts, and statutory probate courts. eFiling fees at the justice courts and fees on criminal cases remain unchanged. 

House Bill 2150, relating to the organization of a grand jury, by Rep. Carol Alvarado and Sen. John Whitmire, eliminates the use of grand jury commissioners to select grand jurors. The commissioner system is replaced with a process of summoning jurors similar to the way that jurors are summoned for petit jury service. In an effort to assist counties in implementing this change, the Office of Court Administration has promulgated a model grand jury summons and questionnaire, along with instructions for its use. The change in law applies to grand jurors summoned for service on or after September 1. 

House Bill 3994, relating to notice of and consent to an abortion for a minor and associated requirements, by Rep. Geanie Morrison and Sen. Charles Perry, amends the requirements and procedures for courts in processing judicial bypass cases. The bill revises the venue requirements, application requirements and standard of proof and adds factors for the court to consider in making the determination. The bill also prohibits the court from appointing the same individual as the attorney ad litem and guardian ad litem. The bill also changes the time frame within which courts must rule on the application from two days to five days and removes the provision in current law that a failure to rule deems the application granted. More information on this bill can be found in the update. The Supreme Court is expected to amend the Texas Parental Notification Rules and Forms prior to the effective date of the bill. The changes in law take effect on January 1, 2016.