House Bill 473 amends Tennessee law regarding the collection of DNA samples from individuals arrested for felony offenses. The bill mandates that, starting July 1, 2025, a biological specimen must be collected from any person arrested for a felony after a determination of probable cause by a magistrate or grand jury. The arresting authority is required to use a buccal swab collection kit to obtain the DNA sample and forward it to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The collection must adhere to uniform procedures established by the TBI, and the court may condition the person's release on the provision of the specimen.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the clerk of the court must inform the TBI of the final disposition of the criminal proceedings. If the charges are dismissed or the defendant is acquitted, the TBI is required to destroy the DNA sample and all related records, unless there is another pending warrant or felony conviction that necessitates the sample's retention in the database. This legislation aims to enhance the identification process in the criminal justice system while ensuring the protection of individuals' rights in cases where charges are not upheld.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40-35-321