Expedited DNA Testing Grant Program.

(1) As used in this section, the term “private laboratory” means any DNA laboratory accredited for a minimum of 5 years in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and the applicable Federal Bureau of Investigation Quality Assurance Standards.

(2) There is created within the department the Expedited DNA Testing Grant Program to award grants to law enforcement agencies for the processing of evidentiary items for DNA testing as provided in subsection (4).

(3) The department shall annually award to law enforcement agencies any funds specifically appropriated for the grant program to cover testing of DNA samples by private laboratories as provided in subsection (4).

(4) Grants may be used by a law enforcement agency for any of the following:

(a) When the technology or technique needed to properly test the DNA sample is not readily available at a local or state laboratory.

(b) When, in the agency’s judgment, expedited testing of the DNA sample is in the best interest of advancing an investigation.

(5) Each grant recipient shall provide a report to the executive director no later than 1 year after receipt of funding. The report shall include:

(a) The amount of annual funding received from this grant.

(b) The number of cases tested by the private laboratory.

(c) The type of DNA testing used, including the name of the private laboratory to which such testing was outsourced and the type of primary equipment used by the private laboratory for such testing.

(d) The lab report with the results of the DNA testing.

(e) The average amount of time it took to complete the DNA testing.

(6) The department may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement and administer this section and to establish the process for the allocation of grant funds.