|
|
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) general academic teaching institutions, as |
|
defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, that provide relevant |
|
training programs in forensic disciplines; and |
|
(2) 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 consult with the Texas Association |
|
of Crime Lab Directors to determine the current need for forensic |
|
analyst apprentices in each forensic discipline. |
|
Sec. 72.204. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September |
|
1, 2030. |
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
|
|
|
* * * * * |