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AN ACT
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relating to postconviction forensic DNA analysis. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 64.01(a-1), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(a-1) A convicted person may submit to the convicting court |
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a motion for forensic DNA testing of evidence that has a reasonable |
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likelihood of containing biological material. The motion must be |
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accompanied by an affidavit, sworn to by the convicted person, |
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containing statements of fact in support of the motion. |
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SECTION 2. Article 64.03(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A convicting court may order forensic DNA testing under |
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this chapter only if: |
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(1) the court finds that: |
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(A) the evidence: |
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(i) still exists and is in a condition |
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making DNA testing possible; and |
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(ii) has been subjected to a chain of |
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custody sufficient to establish that it has not been substituted, |
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tampered with, replaced, or altered in any material respect; [and] |
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(B) there is a reasonable likelihood that the |
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evidence contains biological material suitable for DNA testing; and |
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(C) identity was or is an issue in the case; and |
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(2) the convicted person establishes by a |
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preponderance of the evidence that: |
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(A) the person would not have been convicted if |
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exculpatory results had been obtained through DNA testing; and |
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(B) the request for the proposed DNA testing is |
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not made to unreasonably delay the execution of sentence or |
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administration of justice. |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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motion for forensic DNA testing filed on or after the effective date |
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of this Act. A motion for forensic DNA testing filed before the |
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effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the |
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date the motion was filed, and the former law is continued in effect |
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for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 487 passed the Senate on |
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April 21, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 487 passed the House on |
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May 12, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 137, Nays 2, three |
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present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |