The bill establishes the Expedited DNA Testing Grant Program within the Department of Law Enforcement, as outlined in the newly created section 943.328 of the Florida Statutes. It defines "private laboratory" as any DNA lab accredited for at least five years according to specific quality standards. The program aims to provide annual grants to law enforcement agencies for the processing of DNA samples, particularly when local or state laboratories lack the necessary technology or when expedited testing is deemed essential for investigations.
Grant recipients are required to submit an annual report detailing the funding received, the number of cases tested, the type of DNA testing conducted, the private laboratory used, and the average time taken for testing. The Department of Law Enforcement is also granted rulemaking authority to implement and manage the program effectively. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.