Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Criminal Justice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee prints bill to expand DNA and thumbprint collection to select misdemeanors; fiscal impact noted
Summary
Representative Ted Hill introduced RS 31934 C1 to require DNA and thumbprints for specified misdemeanors that sponsors say can be indicators of more serious offending; a fiscal note appended about $103,000 was discussed briefly and the measure was printed for hearing.
Representative Ted Hill (District 14) presented RS 31934 C1, a draft that would add specified misdemeanors to the list of offenses that require collection of DNA samples and thumbprints. Hill said law enforcement believes certain misdemeanors can be indicators or precursors of more serious crimes and that expanding DNA collection would help investigations.
Hill listed several misdemeanor categories included in the draft: misdemeanor domestic violence, battery, injury to a child, indecent exposure, soliciting sex activity, and second-degree stalking, as well as certain misdemeanor offender registration categories. Hill said the change would bring the state more in line with other states and give law enforcement stronger investigative tools.
Representative Alfieri asked about the fiscal note; Hill acknowledged the bill would add roughly $103,000 in costs and that those funds were not currently part of the budget. The committee moved to introduce RS 31934 C1; the motion carried unanimously.
Votes at the committee introduction: Motion to introduce RS 31934 C1 — moved by Representative Thias; outcome: motion carried unanimously (vote counts not specified in the transcript).
