House Bill 7015 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 after a magistrate or grand jury has determined probable cause for the arrest. The specimen will be collected using a buccal swab collection kit by the arresting authority and must be forwarded to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for maintenance. Additionally, the court or magistrate is required to make the provision of this 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 the existing law by designating subdivision (e)(1) as (e)(1)(A) and updating the reference in subsection (e)(3) to align with this change. The overall intent of the bill is to enhance the identification process for individuals arrested for felonies through DNA analysis, thereby potentially aiding in criminal investigations and ensuring proper identification.

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