Relating to the establishment of the Texas forensic analyst apprenticeship pilot program.

Contracts

Participation requires executing a binding performance contract with the Office of Court Administration (OCA). Legal counsel must review this document specifically for:

• Clawback Provisions: Terms dictating repayment of funds if an apprentice resigns or fails to complete the program.
• Sponsorship Agreements: A separate agreement with the TFSC may be required to validate the laboratory’s eligibility to host apprentices.

Hiring/Training

• Curriculum Adoption: You cannot utilize your existing internal training program for these hires. The law requires the adoption of a specific curriculum developed by UNT Health Science Center, Sam Houston State, and Texas A&M.
• Mentorship Allocation: You must designate senior analysts as mentors. Operational models must account for the billable hours/casework productivity lost by senior staff while supervising apprentices.
• Classification: HR must create a specific "Forensic Analyst Apprentice" job code that aligns with state grant funding cycles (2-year limit) rather than permanent FTE status.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Grant Accounting: Finance departments must segregate state apprenticeship funds from general operating budgets to facilitate OCA audits.
• Retention Tracking: The statute mandates a focus on "long-term retention." You will be required to track and report the employment status of apprentices for a specified period post-certification.

Fees & Costs

• Revenue Opportunity: The program allocates $1.8 million annually for laboratory contracts. This is a subsidy, not a fee.
• Hidden Costs: The grant likely covers apprentice stipends/salaries. It is currently unclear if it covers overhead, equipment, or the "cost of mentorship" (lost productivity).