BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3689

By: Carter

Criminal Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

When a suspect is served with a warrant to submit a DNA specimen for the purpose of connecting the suspect to an offense, it is often laborious and time-consuming for law enforcement personnel to coordinate with the court of proper jurisdiction to obtain the specimen. Critics argue that this inefficient process stymies law enforcement personnel from connecting suspects to other crimes committed outside of the respective jurisdictions of those personnel. H.B. 3689 seeks to ease the burden on both law enforcement and the individuals served with DNA specimen warrants by allowing these warrants to be executed in any Texas county.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3689 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to authorize a search warrant issued to collect a DNA specimen from a person for the purpose of connecting that person to an offense to be executed in any Texas county, regardless of whether the issuing court's jurisdiction extends outside the county in which that court is located.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.