March 15, 2024
House Bill 58 creates a forensic genetic genealogy pilot program and appropriates $150,000 from the general fund to the Division of Criminal Investigation for the period beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2029. Section 1(b) permits the division to use the funds for two purposes: forensic genetic genealogical DNA analyses and searches to assist in generating leads for criminal investigations or identifying human remains in investigations the division conducts under W.S. 9-1-618, and grants to law enforcement agencies in the state for those same purposes, awarded through an application process the division establishes. Section 1(c) terminates the program on June 30, 2029 and bars any grant award after that date, though grants awarded earlier may be expended afterward. Section 1(d) provides that nothing in the act restricts the division from using other available funding for this work. Section 2 provides that the appropriation may be used only to operate the pilot program, may not be transferred or expended for any other purpose, and that unexpended and unobligated funds do not revert until June 30, 2029. Section 3 requires the division to promulgate rules necessary to administer the act, which took effect July 1, 2024.