Relating to rapid DNA analysis by certain law enforcement agencies, the establishment of a related pilot program, and the content of certain DNA databases, the official text

S.B. No. 1723

AN ACT

relating to rapid DNA analysis by certain law enforcement agencies,

the establishment of a related pilot program, and the content of

certain DNA databases.

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

SECTION 1. Section 411.141, Government Code, is amended by

amending Subdivisions (1) and (7) and adding Subdivisions (1-a),

(11-a), and (13) to read as follows:

(1) "Authorized law enforcement agency" means a law

enforcement agency that is authorized by the director to perform

rapid DNA analyses under Section 411.146(c-1).

(1-a) "CODIS" means the FBI's Combined DNA Index

System. The term includes the national DNA index system sponsored

by the FBI.

(7) "DNA record" means the results of a forensic DNA

analysis performed by a DNA laboratory or the results of a rapid DNA

analysis performed by an authorized law enforcement agency under

this subchapter. The term includes a DNA profile and related

records, which may include a code or other identifying number

referenced to a separate database to locate:

(A) the originating entity; and

(B) if known, the name and other personally

identifying information concerning the individual who is the

subject of the analysis.

(11-a) "Law enforcement agency" means an agency of the

state or an agency of a political subdivision of the state that is

authorized by law to employ peace officers.

(13) "Rapid DNA analysis" means the fully automated

processing of a known reference or forensic sample to provide a DNA

record that is eligible for comparison in the CODIS database in not

more than 24 hours.

SECTION 2. Section 411.142(h), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(h) The director shall establish standards for DNA analysis

by a [the] DNA laboratory and standards for rapid DNA analysis by an

authorized law enforcement agency that meet or exceed the current

standards for quality assurance and proficiency testing for

forensic DNA analysis issued by the FBI. The DNA database may

contain only DNA records of DNA analyses performed according to the

standards adopted by the director.

SECTION 3. Sections 411.143(c), (e), and (f), Government

Code, are amended to read as follows:

(c) Other purposes of the database include:

(1) assisting in the recovery or identification of

human remains from a disaster or for humanitarian purposes;

(2) assisting in the identification of living or

deceased missing persons;

(3) if personal identifying information is removed:

(A) establishing a population statistics

database; and

(B) assisting in identification research,

forensic validation studies, or forensic protocol development; and

(4) retesting to validate or update the original

analysis or assisting in quality control with respect to the

database or with respect to the laboratories or agencies performing

forensic DNA analyses [or DNA laboratory quality control].

(e) The director may not store a name or other personal

identifying information in the CODIS database unless approved by

the FBI. A file or reference number to another information system

may be included in the CODIS database only if the director

determines the information is necessary to:

(1) generate an investigative lead or exclusion;

(2) support the statistical interpretation of a test

result; or

(3) allow for the successful implementation of the DNA

database.

(f) Except as provided by this subchapter, the DNA database

may only [not] include criminal history record information approved

by the FBI.

SECTION 4. Section 411.144, Government Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 411.144. REGULATION OF DNA LABORATORIES; PENALTIES.

(a) The director by rule shall establish procedures for a DNA

laboratory or criminal justice agency, including an authorized law

enforcement agency, in the collection, preservation, shipment,

analysis, and use of a DNA sample for forensic DNA analysis,

including rapid DNA analysis, in a manner that permits the exchange

of DNA evidence between DNA laboratories and criminal justice

agencies and the use of the evidence in a criminal case.

(b) A DNA laboratory or criminal justice agency, including

an authorized law enforcement agency, shall follow the procedures:

(1) established by the director under this section;

and

(2) specified by the FBI, including use of comparable

test procedures, laboratory equipment, supplies, and computer

software.

(c) The director may at any reasonable time enter and

inspect the premises or audit the records, reports, procedures, or

other quality assurance matters of:

(1) any DNA laboratory that:

(A) [(1)] provides DNA records to the director

under this subchapter; or

(B) [(2)] conducts forensic analysis; and

(2) any authorized law enforcement agency.

(d) A DNA laboratory conducting a forensic DNA analysis

under this subchapter or an authorized law enforcement agency

performing a rapid DNA analysis under this subchapter shall:

(1) forward the DNA record of the analysis to the

director at the department's crime laboratory or another location

as required by the director; and

(2) comply with this subchapter and rules adopted

under this subchapter.

(e) The director is the Texas liaison for DNA data, records,

evidence, and other related matters between:

(1) the FBI; and

(2) a DNA laboratory or a criminal justice agency,

including an authorized law enforcement agency.

(f) The director may:

(1) conduct DNA analyses; [or]

(2) contract with a laboratory, state agency, private

entity, or institution of higher education for services to perform

DNA analyses for the director; or

(3) authorize a law enforcement agency to perform

rapid DNA analyses under Section 411.146(c-1).

SECTION 5. Section 411.146, Government Code, is amended by

amending Subsections (c) and (e) and adding Subsection (c-1) to

read as follows:

(c)(1) The director shall adopt rules regarding the

collection, preservation, shipment, and analysis of a DNA database

sample under this subchapter, including the type of sample or

specimen taken.

(2) A criminal justice agency permitted or required to

collect a DNA sample for forensic DNA analysis, including rapid DNA

analysis, under this subchapter:

(A) may collect the sample or contract with a

phlebotomist, laboratory, state agency, private entity, or

institution of higher education for services to collect the sample

at the time determined by the agency; and

(B) shall:

(i) preserve each sample collected until it

is forwarded to the director under Subsection (d); and

(ii) maintain a record of the collection of

the sample.

(c-1) Subject to the other requirements prescribed by this

subchapter and rules adopted under this subchapter, a law

enforcement agency may perform a rapid DNA analysis under this

subchapter if:

(1) the agency requests the director's approval to use

a system capable of performing a rapid DNA analysis; and

(2) the director authorizes the agency to use the

system described by Subdivision (1) to perform rapid DNA analyses.

(e) A DNA laboratory or an authorized law enforcement agency

may analyze a DNA sample collected under this section only:

(1) to type the genetic markers contained in the

sample;

(2) for criminal justice or law enforcement purposes;

or

(3) for other purposes described by this subchapter.

SECTION 6. 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 2 hours without submitting the sample to a crime laboratory.

(b) The department shall establish a pilot program to

optimize the process of reporting DNA records and decrease the

number of arrests for which a DNA sample is not collected and

analyzed by assisting law enforcement agencies in implementing

rapid DNA analysis of DNA samples collected under Section

411.1471(b).

(c) Not later than September 1, 2025, the department shall

begin updating information technology systems as necessary to

support the pilot program.

(d) Not later than September 1, 2026, the department shall

begin implementing the pilot program in two counties as determined

by the department. The department may expand the pilot program to

additional counties.

(e) The department and each law enforcement agency

participating in the pilot program may consult with the Federal

Bureau of Investigation regarding rapid DNA analysis

implementation and best practices.

(f) Not later than January 1, 2028, the department shall

review the pilot program established under this section and submit

a written report to the legislature on the pilot program 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, 2028.

SECTION 7. Sections 411.147(b) and (e), Government Code,

are amended to read as follows:

(b) The director may adopt rules relating to the internal

disclosure, access, or use of a sample or DNA record in a DNA

laboratory or authorized law enforcement agency.

(e) A criminal justice agency may have access to a DNA

sample for a law enforcement purpose through:

(1) the agency's laboratory; [or]

(2) a laboratory used by the agency; or

(3) an authorized law enforcement agency.

SECTION 8. Section 411.1471(d), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(d) The director by rule shall require law enforcement

agencies taking a specimen under this section to preserve the

specimen and maintain a record of the collection of the

specimen. A law enforcement agency taking a specimen under this

section may use any method to take the specimen approved by the

director in the rule adopted under this subsection. The rule

adopted by the director must prohibit a law enforcement agency from

taking a blood sample for the purpose of creating a DNA record under

this section. The agency may:

(1) [either] send the specimen to the director;

(2) [or] send to the director an analysis of the

sample performed at a laboratory chosen by the agency and approved

by the director; or

(3) send to the director a rapid DNA analysis of the

sample if the director has authorized the agency to perform the

analysis.

SECTION 9. Section 411.1473(c), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(c) A law enforcement agency taking a specimen under this

section may:

(1) [either] send the specimen to the director;

(2) [or] send to the director an analysis of the

specimen performed by a laboratory chosen by the agency and

approved by the director; or

(3) send to the director a rapid DNA analysis of the

specimen if the director has authorized the agency to perform the

analysis.

SECTION 10. 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, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1723 passed the Senate on

May 12, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 1; and that the

Senate concurred in House amendment on May 30, 2025 by the

following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1723 passed the House, with

amendment, on May 24, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 135,

Nays 1, two present not voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

______________________________

Governor