Supreme Court

TEXAS SUPREME COURT advisory

Contact: Osler McCarthy
512.463.1441 or email
@OslerSCTX

COURT REVISES EMERGENCY ORDER 36 ADDRESSING
COURTROOM PRECAUTIONS, CHILD-PROTECTION PROCEEDINGS

In an order posted Wednesday the Texas Supreme Court reaffirmed full discretion by judges to protect courtroom participants and sets a schedule to tackle pending child-protection cases delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The emergency order, the 38th since pandemic provisions began last year, eliminates specific reference to masks and social distancing in courtrooms but continues a judge’s discretion to use “any reasonable action” to address health issues.

The order, continuing many of the core provisions from the first emergency order issued March 13, 2020, and since amended, takes steps in a new paragraph four to begin clearing child-protection cases suspended during the pandemic.

The order expires August 1, unless extended by the chief justice, and incorporates other specific deadlines in certain sections.

Questions about coronavirus orders should be addressed to coronavirus@txcourts.gov.