1. (1) Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Grant Program.

   1. (a) Participating entities shall ensure:

      1. Compliance with applicable portions of 119, F.S. as pertains to DNA records and investigative genetic genealogy information and materials and s 24(a) Art. I of the State Constitution.

      2. Any genetic genealogy laboratory vendor contracted for the generation of SNP profiles demonstrates compliance with International Organization for Standardization ISO/IEC 17025 International Standards for Testing and Calibration Laboratories and holds a current accreditation certificate.

      3. Any forensic vendor laboratory contracted for the generation of STR profiles demonstrates compliance with subparagraph (1)(a)2. and the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories as issued by the Director of the FBI as evidenced on a current accreditation certificate.

      4. Any investigative genetic genealogy vendor fulfills subparagraph (1)(a)2. or (1)(a)3., or if the vendor does not perform laboratory testing, that the vendor utilizes a subcontracted vendor laboratory that meets the required accreditation(s).

      5. Compliance with Department rules for state financial assistance pass-through programs regarding procurement and performance metric reporting.

      6. That a STR profile has minimally been uploaded to the state CODIS database prior to initiation of forensic investigative genetic genealogy for criminal cases and to the state CODIS database or directly to the national CODIS database for UHR cases.

   2. (b) Laboratories within the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system

      1. STR profiles shall be offered to CODIS in accordance with 943.325, F.S., 42 U.S.C. §14132, and 34 U.S.C. § 12592(a)(4).

      2. Confirmation that a STR profile for a putative perpetrator or unidentified person or remains shall be provided to grant applicants.

   3. (c) Law Enforcement Agencies

      1. Grant applicants will ensure cases and samples meet the Terms of Service of applicable public genetic genealogy databases that permit law enforcement searching and use.

      2. Grant applicants shall attest:

      a. That all investigative leads and resources other than Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy have been exhausted in attempts to obtain actionable investigative leads.

      b. If a UHR is reasonably believed to be the victim of a homicide.

      c. That UHR cases and details have been added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) database.

   4. (d) District Medical Examiner Offices

      1. Grant applicants will ensure cases and samples meet the Terms of Service of applicable public genetic genealogy databases that permit law enforcement searching and use specific to Unidentified Human Remains.

      2. Grant applicants shall attest that UHR cases and details have been added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) database.

   5. (e) Assistant State Attorneys

      1. For criminal cases and UHR cases with a suspected nexus to homicide, the Assistant State Attorney of the applicable jurisdiction shall agree to review the case scenario and attest that a case, if a person of interest is identified, would be pursued up to and including prosecution of possible.

      a. The above is not an agreement to prosecute in the absence of sufficient evidence, witnesses, or support.

      b. Signature of the Assistant State Attorney for a judicial circuit, where required on the grant application, serves to further confirm that a violent crime has occurred and/or that a UHR is reasonably believed to be the victim of a homicide.

2. (2) Exceptions to case, technical, and vendor criteria may be granted on a case-by-case basis based on the availability of funds and approval of department program management.
3. (3) Case criteria are further defined by the Department, subject to genetic genealogy database vendor terms, and published to a website whenever grant applications are being accepted.
4. (4) Technical criteria for evidentiary samples are further defined by the Department and published to a website whenever grant applications are being accepted and are subject to changes based on evolving technological advances.
5. (5) Eligible vendor criteria are defined above and subject to applicable procurement laws and rules.
6. (6) Department distribution of awards shall follow the order in which applications were received, approved, and all requirements for receipt of funds met.
7. (7) The Department shall offer laboratory services and investigative support to grantees upon request and in accordance with department policy.
8. (8) The Department Forensic Services division, as part of a state law enforcement agency, may also apply and must meet the same criteria as other grantees.

Rulemaking Authority 943.03(4), 943.326(4)(d), 943.327(6) FS. Law Implemented 943.327 FS. History– New 7-17-25.