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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to access to the crime laboratory portal. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 411.164, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 411.164. DEFENSE COUNSEL ACCESS TO CRIME LABORATORY |
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PORTAL. In accordance with department rule, the attorney |
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representing the state in a criminal action shall designate [the |
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defendant or] the defendant's attorney [, as appropriate,] as an |
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individual who is authorized to access and use the crime laboratory |
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portal under Section 411.162 to request any crime laboratory |
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records that are subject to discovery under Article 39.14, Code of |
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Criminal Procedure. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a criminal proceeding that commences on or after the effective |
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date of this Act. A criminal proceeding that commences 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 proceeding commenced, and the former law is continued in |
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effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |