HB 453 — Forensic Genetic Genealogy Grants

F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB453CS/HB453 2024 A bill to be entitled An act relating to the forensic genetic genealogy grants;

definingproviding thedefinitions; term "forensic genetic genealogy methods";

creating the Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Grant Program within the Department of Law Enforcement;

providing rulemaking authority;

943.327 Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Grant Program.— (1) As used in this section, the termterm: "forensic genetic genealogy methods" means any technology used in a forensic laboratory capable of producing a forensic genealogy profile with a minimum of 100,000 markers and compatible with multiple genealogical databases that is available for law enforcement use for the purposes described in this section.

(2)(a) There"Forensic isinvestigative createdgenetic withingenealogy" themeans department the Forensiccombined Geneticapplication Genealogyof Grantlaboratory Programtesting, togenetic awardgenealogy, grantsand to law enforcement agenciesinvestigative ortechniques. medical examiner's offices to support Page 1of 3 CODING:

(b) "Genetic genealogy" has the same meaning as in s.

119.071(2)(r)1.

(2) There is created within the department the Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Grant Program to award grants to Page 1of 3 CODING:

hb0453-00hb0453-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB453CS/HB453 2024 statewide and local law enforcement agencies and medical examiner's offices to support those agencies and offices in the processing of DNA samples asand providedin forconducting inany associated genetic genealogy research as specified under subsection (4).

(3) The department shall annually award to statewide and local law enforcement agencies and medical examiner's offices any funds speciallyspecifically appropriated for the grant program to cover expenses related to using forensic investigative genetic genealogy methods to generate investigative leads for criminal investigations orof violent crimes and to aid in the identification of unidentified human remains.

(4) Grants may be used in accordance with department rule for any of the following:following purposes:

(a) CarryingThe outanalysis of DNA analysessamples ofto samplesgenerate collectedprofiles underthat applicablehave legala authorityminimum usingof forensic100,000 markers and that are compatible with genetic genealogygenealogical methodsdatabases forthat violentpermit crimes.law enforcement use and searching.

(b) CarryingThe outuse DNAof analysesforensic ofinvestigative genetic genealogy to solve violent crimes and to identify unidentified human remains.

(5) Each grant recipient shallmust provide to the executive director a report no later than 1 year after receipt of funding.funding under the grant program.

This report shallmust include:include all of the following:

(a) The amount of annual funding received.

(b) The number and type of cases testedpursued using forensic geneticPage genealogical2of DNA3 analysis.CODING:

(c) The type of forensic genetic genealogical DNA testing used, including the name of the laboratory to which such testing is outsourced, if any, and the type of equipment used for the testing.

(d) The result of the testing, such as victim Page 2of 3 CODING:

hb0453-00hb0453-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB453CS/HB453 2024 identification,investigative perpetratorgenetic identification,genealogy. or no identification.

(e)(c) The averagetype amount of timeforensic itinvestigative tookgenetic genealogy methods used, including the name of the laboratory to makewhich eachany suchtesting identification.was outsourced, if applicable, the technology employed, the name of the genetic genealogy database used, and the identity of the entity conducting any genetic genealogical research.

(d) The results of the DNA testing including whether or not testing was sufficiently successful to permit genetic genealogy database searching and the results of any such searching and any additional genealogical research, such as decedent identification, perpetrator identification, or no identification.

(e) The amount of time it took to make an identification or to determine no identification could be made.

(6) The department may adopt rules pursuant to ss.

120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement and administer this section and to establish the process for the allocation of grant funds.

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