81R7521 KEL-F
By: Driver H.B. No. 1781
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Texas Forensic Science Academy
as a program of the Texas Engineering Extension Service of The Texas
A&M University System.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 88, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter K to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. TEXAS FORENSIC SCIENCE ACADEMY
Sec. 88.821. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "academy"
means the Texas Forensic Science Academy.
Sec. 88.822. ESTABLISHMENT OF ACADEMY. The Texas Forensic
Science Academy is established as a law enforcement extension
training program of the Texas Engineering Extension Service.
Sec. 88.823. PURPOSES OF ACADEMY. The purposes of the
academy are to:
(1) support the need for trained state and local law
enforcement personnel, prosecutors, public defenders, and judges
in the criminal justice system of this state; and
(2) achieve accuracy and equity in the criminal
justice system of this state.
Sec. 88.824. DUTIES OF ACADEMY. (a) The academy shall
provide, through extension courses, online courses, workshops,
seminars, and other appropriate means, comprehensive and technical
training and education focused on science-based best practices for
proper crime scene investigation and for the collection and
preservation of forensic evidence and the presentation of that
evidence in court.
(b) The academy shall consult with state and local law
enforcement agencies, prosecutors, public defenders, and judges in
this state as necessary to ensure that the curriculum and practices
of the academy are consistent with the needs of the criminal justice
system of this state.
Sec. 88.825. PERSONNEL. The Texas Engineering Extension
Service may employ a director and other personnel necessary to
administer this subchapter.
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, 2009.