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SB1796 • 2026

DNA match tracking system; DPS

SB1796 - DNA match tracking system; DPS

Crime
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Brian Fernandez
Last action
2026-02-10
Official status
Senate second read
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not provided in the source text, so the exact start date for the one-year deadline cannot be calculated.

SB1796: DNA Match Tracking System for Arizona

This law requires the Department of Public Safety to create a statewide computer system that tracks DNA matches in unsolved cases and reports on how agencies handle them.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Public Safety to build an online, cloud-based system for tracking DNA matches within one year after the effective date.
  • Automatically sends alerts about DNA matches from accredited crime labs to relevant law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies across Arizona.
  • Sets deadlines requiring agencies to review match notifications within five business days and update the system with case details or closure reasons within sixty business days.
  • Limits access to authorized personnel only and states that information in this system cannot be used as evidence in criminal court cases.
  • Requires an annual report sent to state leaders showing total matches, notification times, overdue alerts, and recommendations for improvement.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Arizona Department of Public Safety
  • Municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and the Department of Public Safety as law enforcement agencies
  • Prosecutorial agencies in Arizona
  • Accredited crime laboratories that send DNA match notifications

Terms To Know

DNA Match Tracking System
A statewide, cloud-based computer program used to store and share information when a DNA sample matches an unsolved case.
Accredited Crime Laboratory
A testing facility that meets official standards for analyzing evidence like DNA samples in Arizona.
Prosecutorial Agencies
Government offices responsible for deciding whether to charge someone with a crime or taking legal action on cases.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law does not specify the exact cost of building or running the system.
  • Information stored in this tracking system cannot be used as evidence during criminal trials.
  • The specific date when the new rules take effect is listed as blank in the provided text.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-10 Senate

    Senate second read

  2. 2026-02-09 Senate

    Senate Rules: None

  3. 2026-02-09 Senate

    Senate Public Safety: None

  4. 2026-02-09 Senate

    Senate first read

Official Summary Text

SB1796 - DNA match tracking system; DPS

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SB1796 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
DNA match tracking system; DPS

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SB 1796

Introduced by

Senator
Fernandez

AN
ACT

Amending Title 41, chapter 12, article 2,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-1738; relating to the department
of public safety.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 41, chapter 12, article 2,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-1738, to read:

START_STATUTE
41-1738.

DNA match tracking system; law enforcement and prosecutorial
agencies; notification; annual report; definition

A. Within One year after the
effective date of this section, the department shall establish and maintain a
statewide automated DNA match tracking system to match DNA samples to unsolved
cases in this state.

B. The department may:

1. Purchase a commercial software
system to track and match DNA samples.

2. Apply for any federal funding or
grants to establish and maintain the DNA match tracking system pursuant to this
section.

C. The DNA match tracking system
must:

1. Be fully electronic and cloud
based.

2. receive DNA match notifications
from all ACCREDITED crime laboratories in this state.

3. Automatically route notifications
and reminders to all RELEVANT law ENFORCEMENT agencies and prosecutorial
agencies in this state.

4. Record and time stamp all actions
taken by the law ENFORCEMENT agencies and prosecutorial agencies in this state
and flag any notifications for review.

5. Produce audit logs, compliance
reports and performance metrics.

6. Ensure all data security is
consistent with applicable privacy and INFORMATION security laws in this state.

D. On confirmation of a DNA match,
the department shall transmit an electronic notification to the DNA match tracking
system within ten business days.� All LAW ENFORCEMENT agencies and
PROSECUTORIAL AGENCIES IN THIS STATE shall review each DNA match notification
within five business days after receiving the transmission.� Within sixty
business days after recording the INITIAL match review, the law ENFORCEMENT
agencies and prosecutorial agencies in this state shall document and update the
DNA match tracking system with the following information:

1. Whether the DNA match is relevant
to an active investigation or case.

2. Any INVESTIGATIVE or prosecutorial
actions taken.

3. Any decision regarding the closure
of the case and the reason for the closure.

E. All law enforcement agencies in
this state that submit DNA evidence to an accredited crime lab shall
participate in the system.

F. All information stored and
transmitted under this section shall be handled in accordance with all
applicable federal, state and local data privacy laws.� Access to the DNA match
tracking system is limited to authorized PERSONNEL only.

G. NOTWITHSTANDING any other law,
information that is entered into or stored in the DNA match tracking system may
not be admissible in a criminal proceeding.

H. The department may adopt any rules
that are REASONABLY necessary to implement, administer and enforce this
section.

I. The DNA match tracking system
shall serve only as a resource for COORDINATED criminal justice response
purposes.

J. Beginning December 31, 2027 and
each year thereafter, the department shall submit an annual report to the
Governor, the PRESIDENT of the senate and the speaker of the house of
representatives that contains all of the following information:

1. the total number of DNA matches.

2. the average time after a dna match
is first recorded for the department to transmit electronic notification to the
dna match tracking system.

3. the Number of overdue or
UNADDRESSED notifications.

4. Any RECOMMENDATIONS on how to
improve the system.

K. For the purposes of this section,
"Law ENFORCEMENT agency" MEANS A MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, A
COUNTY SHERIFF'S office AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.
Short title

This act may be cited as the "DNA
Match Notification, Tracking and Accountability Act".