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Commission approves posting of rules to implement electronic crime‑lab records portal
Summary
Chief Brady Mills asked the commission to post proposed rule changes (37 TAC 28.211–28.215) implementing an electronic crime laboratory records portal pursuant to Senate Bill 991; the commission approved the proposal for publication to solicit public comment.
The Public Safety Commission voted to post proposed rules to implement an electronic Texas crime laboratory records portal intended to make laboratory records available to prosecutors and defense counsel.
"The new rules implement Senate Bill 991," Brady Mills, chief of the crime laboratory division, said, describing the portal as a way to deliver discovery in close to real time and to assist compliance with discovery requirements under the Michael Morton framework. Mills said DPS and partner laboratories produce about 121,000 cases annually and that the portal will help deliver records electronically as cases are administratively reviewed.
After brief acknowledgement from the chairman, Commissioner Blair moved to post proposed 37 TAC sections 28.211–28.215 and Commissioner Ford seconded the motion. The commission approved the motion and directed staff to publish the proposal in the Texas Register to receive public comment.
The posting begins the formal rulemaking comment period; the department described the action as implementing the 88th Legislature's directive in SB 991 (2023) to host an electronic discovery portal.
