Texas has launched a groundbreaking program allowing sexual assault survivors to obtain DNA testing without reporting to police, with the first evidence kit collected last week.
The Limited Consent for DNA Testing Program, which began December 1, enables survivors to receive forensic medical exams and DNA analysis free of charge, removing what advocates call a major barrier to seeking help.
Under previous Texas law, sexual assault survivors could only have DNA evidence tested if they filed a police report. The new program, created by House Bill 1422, eliminates that requirement for evidence collected after December 1, 2025.
“House Bill 1422 removes one of the biggest barriers sexual assault survivors face when deciding whether to seek help: the fear that getting a forensic exam means they must immediately involve law enforcement,” said Sen. Joan Huffman, per a Texas Department of Public Safety news release. “With the Limited Consent for DNA Testing Program now in place, survivors can take back some control, get critical evidence collected and tested at no cost, and decide later – on their own timeline – whether to move forward with a police report.”
The Texas DPS announced the implementation after months of preparation by its Crime Laboratory Division.
Rep. Lacey Hull (R-Houston), who authored the legislation, expressed hope that the program would empower more survivors to eventually report assaults.
“We know that making a report to law enforcement is a tremendously difficult decision,” Hull said, according to the news release.
All kits will be processed within 90 days at DPS’s Houston crime lab. Survivors can track their kit’s status through Texas’ Track-Kit system, funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office.
Evidence will be stored for up to five years, giving survivors time to decide whether to involve law enforcement. Three months before the five-year deadline, survivors receive notification through Track-Kit before evidence destruction.
“For months, DPS Crime Laboratory Division personnel have been committed to preparing for the roll-out of Texas’ new Limited Consent DNA Testing Program,” said DPS Crime Laboratory Division Chief Brady Mills.
Preparation included software enhancements, compliance reviews, and collaboration with advocacy groups on trauma-informed consent forms.
The program marks a significant shift in how Texas handles sexual assault evidence, prioritizing survivor autonomy while preserving crucial forensic material.
More information about the testing program is available on the Texas DPS website.
