Law enforcement agencies throughout Florida may soon have a new tool for solving criminal cases now that the Florida House of Representatives has unanimously passed a measure that helps them expedite the processing of the DNA samples that they collect.
Specifically, HB1105 creates within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement the Rapid DNA Grant Program to award grant funds to sheriff’s offices and county jails to cover expenses related to the purchasing of DNA testing machines and other necessary supplies. The annual grants also support the statewide DNA database established in earlier legislation.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) welcomed the House’s passage of the legislation.
“This will assist in providing law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to keep our communities safe,” the HCSO said in an April 21 posting on Facebook.
HB1105 now advances to the Florida Senate for consideration.
If passed and signed into law, the measure will become effective on July 1.
