🟡Relating to access to the crime laboratory portal.

🟡 SB 1372: Who holds the key to DPS crime lab records

What it says it does:
Align the DPS crime lab portal with Texas discovery rules, streamline access, and protect sensitive lab files.

What it actually changes:
Prosecutors must designate the defense attorney for portal access, the defendant can no longer be designated directly. Applies to new cases beginning September 1, 2025.

Who is pushing for it:
Author: Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. Support in the files comes from law enforcement groups, DPS listed “on.” Opponents in the files are limited.

Who benefits:
Prosecutors and DPS administrators get a cleaner, controlled workflow. Represented defendants get access through their attorneys. Courts may see clearer audit trails.

Who gets left out or exposed:
People without lawyers face extra steps and possible delays to review the same lab records. Rural and low income defendants are most at risk when counsel is slow to appear.

Why this matters long term:
It centralizes control of digital evidence with prosecutors and agency rules. It sets a precedent for attorney only portals without built in timelines, public metrics, or denial reporting, which can turn delay into leverage.

What to watch next:
How fast designations go out, how often access is denied or delayed, whether courts must referee routine discovery, and whether other justice systems copy this counsel only model.

Bottom line:
SB 1372 brings order to the portal, but it also raises access friction for people without lawyers. The fix is simple, keep counsel only for most cases while adding a court authorized read only view for pro se parties and short deadlines for designations.

Questions to ask lawmakers:

1. What time limit will you support for prosecutors to designate defense counsel for portal access?
2. Will you back a court approved, read only option so pro se defendants can review lab files with audit logs?
3. Will the public see regular metrics on designation times and denial reasons?

#SB1372 #TexasPolicy #WatchTheRules #TexasJustice #DueProcess #Evidence