Assigned to APPROP                                                                                                             FOR COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2371

 

appropriations; DNA analysis instruments

Purpose

            Appropriates $1,200,000 and three full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2021 to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for DNA analysis instruments.

Background

            DPS is responsible for creating and coordinating services for use by local law enforcement agencies in protecting the public safety. DPS must formulate plans with a view to establishing modern services for prevention of crime, apprehension of violators, training of law enforcement personnel and the promotion of public safety (A.R.S. § 41-1711). DPS consists of the following divisions: 1) Arizona highway patrol; 2) narcotics enforcement and criminal investigation;
3) scientific criminal analysis; and 4) training and education (A.R.S. § 41-1712).

            The Scientific Analysis Bureau at DPS provides forensic services to all police agencies within Arizona. Services provided by the Scientific Analysis Bureau include: 1) scientific analysis of evidence; 2) technical crime scene assistance; and 3) secure storage of evidentiary items, training and expert testimony (DPS).

            H.B. 2371 appropriates $1,200,000 and three FTEs from the state GF in FY 2021 to DPS for DNA analysis instruments.

Provisions

1.      Appropriates $1,200,000 and three FTEs from the state GF in FY 2021 to DPS to:

a)      purchase and deploy four DNA analysis instruments throughout the state; and

b)      train, if monies are available and on the request of a county sheriff, county sheriff personnel on properly using the DNA analysis instruments.

2.      Requires the Director of DPS, by October 15, 2020, January 15, 2021, April 15, 2021, and July 15, 2021, to submit a report to the Chairpersons of the:

a)      House of Representatives Judiciary and Public Safety Committees or their successor committees; and

b)      Senate Judiciary and Transportation and Public Safety Committees or their successor committees.

3.      Requires the report to include:

a)      number of rapid DNA analyses performed by DPS and county sheriffs;

b)      number of criminal suspects identified or matched by DNA analysis to the Combined DNA Index System; and

c)      total number and types of crimes identified or matched by DNA analysis.

4.      Defines rapid DNA analysis.

5.      Becomes effective on the general effective date.

House Action

PS                    2/12/20      DP     7-0-0-0

APPROP         2/19/20      DP     9-2-0-0

3rd Read          2/25/20                 52-8-0

Prepared by Senate Research

March 13, 2020

LMM/kja