S.B. No. 284

	AN ACT
	relating to disciplinary proceedings applicable to a licensed
	forensic analyst.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 4-c, Article 38.01, Code of Criminal
	Procedure, is amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding
	Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
	(c)  The commission shall give written notice by certified
	mail of a determination described by Subsection (a) to a license
	holder who is the subject of the determination. The notice must:
	(1)  include a brief summary of the alleged misconduct
	or violation;
	(2)  state the disciplinary action taken by the
	commission; and
	(3)  inform the license holder of the license holder's
	right to a hearing before the Judicial Branch Certification
	Commission on the occurrence of the misconduct or violation, the
	imposition of disciplinary action, or both.
	(d)  Not later than the 20th day after the date the license
	holder receives the notice under Subsection (c), the license holder
	may request a hearing by submitting a written request to the
	Judicial Branch Certification Commission. If the license holder
	fails to timely submit a request, the commission's disciplinary
	action becomes final and is not subject to review by the Judicial
	Branch Certification Commission.
	(e)  If the license holder requests a hearing, the Judicial
	Branch Certification Commission shall conduct a hearing to
	determine whether there is substantial evidence to support the
	determination under Subsection (a) that the license holder
	committed professional misconduct or violated this article or a
	commission rule or order under this article. If the Judicial Branch
	Certification Commission upholds the determination, the Judicial
	Branch Certification Commission shall determine the type of
	disciplinary action to be taken. The Judicial Branch Certification
	Commission shall conduct the hearing in accordance with the
	procedures provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 153, Government Code,
	as applicable, and the rules of the Judicial Branch Certification
	Commission.  [Disciplinary proceedings of the commission are
	governed by Chapter 2001, Government Code.   A hearing under this
	section shall be conducted by an administrative law judge of the
	State Office of Administrative Hearings.]
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
	to a disciplinary action taken on or after the effective date of
	this Act. A disciplinary action taken before the effective date of
	this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the action was
	taken, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 284 passed the Senate on
	April 11, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 284 passed the House on
	May 22, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, Nays 5, two
	present not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor