By: Huffman, Eckhardt S.B. No. 1620
(In the Senate - Filed February 25, 2025; March 10, 2025,
read first time and referred to Committee on Finance;
April 7, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 15, Nays 0; April 7, 2025,
sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1620 By: Huffman
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) general academic teaching institutions, as
defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, that provide relevant
training programs in forensic disciplines; and
(2) 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 consult with the Texas Association
of Crime Lab Directors to determine the current need for forensic
analyst apprentices in each forensic discipline.
Sec. 72.204. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September
1, 2030.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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