Senate Bill 7087 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-35-321, to introduce a new requirement for individuals arrested for felony offenses. Specifically, it mandates that, starting October 1, 2023, a biological specimen must be collected from these individuals for DNA analysis. This collection will occur after a magistrate or grand jury has determined probable cause for the arrest, and it must be conducted using a buccal swab collection kit by the arresting authority. The collected specimen will then be forwarded to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which is responsible for maintaining the sample according to existing regulations. Additionally, the court or magistrate is required to make the provision of a specimen a condition of the person's release on bond or recognizance if such release is granted.

The bill also includes a technical amendment to clarify the language in Section 40-35-321(e)(3) by replacing "As used in this subsection (e)" with "As used in subdivision (e)(1)(A)." This change is part of the overall effort to streamline the legal language and ensure clarity regarding the new DNA collection requirement. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2023, emphasizing the importance of public welfare in its implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40-35-321, 40-35-321(e)(3)