Bill Text: TX HB3957 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of a rapid DNA analysis pilot program in certain counties.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-12 - Referred to Criminal Justice [HB3957 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HB3957-Engrossed.html
| 88R14417 CJD-D | ||
| By: Smith | H.B. No. 3957 | |
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| relating to the establishment of a rapid DNA analysis pilot program | ||
| in certain counties. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 411, Government Code, is | ||
| amended by adding Section 411.1465 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 411.1465. RAPID DNA ANALYSIS PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In | ||
| this section, "rapid DNA analysis" means the fully automated | ||
| processing of a reference buccal swab sample to provide a DNA record | ||
| that is eligible for comparison in the CODIS database in not more | ||
| than 24 hours. | ||
| (b) The department shall establish a pilot program to | ||
| optimize the process of reporting DNA records by assisting law | ||
| enforcement agencies in implementing rapid DNA analysis of DNA | ||
| samples collected under this subchapter. | ||
| (c) Beginning September 1, 2023, the pilot program shall | ||
| operate and assist law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction in | ||
| the following counties: | ||
| (1) El Paso; | ||
| (2) Galveston; | ||
| (3) Montgomery; | ||
| (4) Tarrant; and | ||
| (5) Travis. | ||
| (d) Beginning September 1, 2024, the department shall | ||
| expand the pilot program to assist law enforcement agencies with | ||
| jurisdiction in the following counties: | ||
| (1) Bexar; | ||
| (2) Collin; | ||
| (3) Dallas; | ||
| (4) Harris; and | ||
| (5) Hidalgo. | ||
| (e) The department and each law enforcement agency subject | ||
| to this section may consult with the Federal Bureau of | ||
| Investigation regarding rapid DNA analysis implementation and best | ||
| practices. | ||
| (f) Not later than January 1, 2026, the department shall | ||
| review the pilot program established under this section and submit | ||
| a written report to the legislature on the progress made by the | ||
| pilot program in optimizing the reporting of DNA records and any | ||
| recommendations regarding the continuation or expansion of the | ||
| program. | ||
| (g) The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and | ||
| donations from any public or private source to fund the pilot | ||
| program. | ||
| (h) The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement | ||
| this section. | ||
| (i) This section expires September 1, 2025. | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | ||
| a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | ||
| provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | ||
| Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | ||
| Act takes effect September 1, 2023. | ||
