Texas 89th Legislature, Regular Session Status: Introduced

HB 256 — Relating to the Department of Public Safety performing DNA testing of certain individuals crossing the Texas-Mexico border and restrictions on the use of the results of those tests.

Last action — Committee report sent to Calendars

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 89th Legislature, Regular Session. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Relating to the Department of Public Safety performing DNA testing of certain individuals crossing the Texas-Mexico border and restrictions on the use of the results of those tests.

Bill Text

We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.

Read HB 256 on the official Texas source →

How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends the Texas statutes.

  • SUBCHAPTER G. RAPID DNA TESTING OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS CROSSING TEXAS-MEXICO BORDER Sec. 421.121. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid. (2) "Rapid DNA test" means a process for developing a DNA profile of an individual: (A) based on a biological sample consisting of a buccal swab of the individual; and (B) without the need for human intervention in the process or the use of facilities dedicated to performing DNA analyses and testing. Sec. 421.122. RAPID DNA TESTING PROGRAM; AGREEMENT. The Department of Public Safety shall enter into an agreement with the United States Department of Homeland Security on request to establish a program for: (1) performing rapid DNA tests of individuals who: (A) enter into this state by crossing the Texas-Mexico border; (B) are detained or arrested by the Department of Homeland Security; and (C) the Department of Homeland Security has reason to believe are misrepresenting the existence of a family relationship between the individual and another individual detained or arrested by the Department of Homeland Security; and (2) promptly providing the results of the rapid DNA tests to the Department of Homeland Security for use in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Sec. 421.123. BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES TO BE DESTROYED. The Department of Public Safety shall destroy the biological sample used to perform a rapid DNA test under the agreement described by Section 421.122 after performing the test and providing the results. Sec. 421.124. DATABASE OF PROFILES PROHIBITED. The Department of Public Safety may not maintain a database of DNA profiles developed through rapid DNA tests performed under an agreement described by Section 421.122. Sec. 421.125. REQUIRED PROVISIONS. The agreement described by Section 421.122 must contain provisions that are substantially similar to the duty under Section 421.123 and the prohibition under Section 421.124.

    amended

Action History

  1. Committee report sent to Calendars

  2. Committee report distributed

  3. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator

  4. Reported favorably as substituted

  5. Committee substitute considered in committee

  6. Considered in formal meeting

  7. Left pending in committee

  8. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

  9. Considered in public hearing

  10. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .

  11. Referred to State Affairs

  12. Read first time

  13. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 11 co-sponsors · 172 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (11)

Not signed on (172)

172 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 172 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety immigration
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 256 do?
Relating to the Department of Public Safety performing DNA testing of certain individuals crossing the Texas-Mexico border and restrictions on the use of the results of those tests.
Who sponsors HB 256?
HB 256 is sponsored by Ryan Guillen, John Lujan, Eddie Morales, Armando Martinez, Cody Harris, Caroline Harris Davila, Mitch Little, Will Metcalf, Joanne Shofner, David Spiller, Valoree Swanson, and Leo Wilson.
What is the current status of HB 256?
This bill died with 89th Legislature, Regular Session. It reached “Introduced” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 256?
Track HB 256 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 4 months ago · updated continuously

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