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  By: Huffman, Eckhardt  S.B. No. 1620
         (In the Senate - Filed February 25, 2025; March 10, 2025,
  read first time and referred to Committee on Finance;
  April 7, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 15, Nays 0; April 7, 2025,
  sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1620 By:  Huffman
 
 
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.
 
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