89R15785 AJZ-F     By: Huffman S.B. No. 1620       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.