BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2185

By: Clardy

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 can often be 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 crimes committed outside of the respective jurisdictions of those personnel. H.B. 2185 seeks to make the process less of a burden for both law enforcement and the individuals served with DNA specimen warrants.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 2185 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 county in Texas, regardless of whether the issuing court's jurisdiction extends outside the county in which that court is located.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.