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.