Bonnen Bill Writes Sam Houston State Into Forensic Training Contracts

The text as introduced · 464 words

89R15785 AJZ-F

By: Bonnen
H.B. No. 5293

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Texas forensic analyst

apprenticeship pilot program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 72, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter H to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER H. TEXAS FORENSIC ANALYST APPRENTICESHIP PILOT PROGRAM

Sec. 72.201. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Accredited crime laboratory" means a crime

laboratory, as that term is defined by Article 38.35, Code of

Criminal Procedure, that has been accredited under Article 38.01 of

that code.

(2) "Commission" means the Texas Forensic Science

Commission.

(3) "Pilot program" means the Texas forensic analyst

apprenticeship pilot program established under this subchapter.

Sec. 72.202. TEXAS FORENSIC ANALYST APPRENTICESHIP PILOT

PROGRAM. (a) The office shall establish the Texas forensic analyst

apprenticeship pilot program to increase the forensic science

workforce capacity in this state. The office shall collaborate with

the commission as necessary to administer the pilot program.

(b) To implement the pilot program, the office shall enter

into contracts with:

(1) the Center for Human Identification at the

University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth for

the purpose of creating a unified forensic biology (DNA) training

program;

(2) the Institute for Forensic Research, Training, and

Innovation at Sam Houston State University for the purpose of

creating a unified drug chemistry and toxicology training program;

(3) the Department of Statistics at Texas A&M

University for the purpose of creating a unified firearms

comparison training program; and

(4) each publicly funded accredited crime laboratory

that is awarded an apprentice position by the commission under

Section 72.203.

Sec. 72.203. FORENSIC ANALYST APPRENTICE POSITIONS; RULES.

(a) In consultation with the office, the commission by rule shall

adopt eligibility requirements for:

(1) individuals who may apply for an apprentice

position under the pilot program; and

(2) publicly funded accredited crime laboratories

that may apply to sponsor an apprentice under the pilot program.

(b) In establishing the eligibility requirements under

Subsection (a), the commission shall prioritize the long-term

retention of forensic analysts in accredited crime laboratories in

this state.

(c) The commission shall award apprentice positions to

individuals and accredited crime laboratories that meet the

eligibility requirements established under Subsection (a). The

commission shall enter into contracts with the laboratories

selected to sponsor apprentices under the pilot program.

(d) The commission shall:

(1) consult with the Texas Association of Crime Lab

Directors to determine the current need for forensic analyst

apprentices in each forensic discipline; and

(2) in consultation with the office, adopt rules

regarding the required training curricula for the forensic science

training programs described by Sections 72.202(b)(1), (2), and (3).

Sec. 72.204. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September

1, 2030.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.