Van Hollen Applauds Signing of Bill That Would Facilitate the Collection of DNA From Convicted Offenders

MADISON - Attorney General J. B. Van Hollen issued the following statement upon the signing of Senate Bill 631 into law by Governor Doyle:

I am pleased Governor Doyle signed Senate Bill 631 into law.  I would like to thank State Representatives Tony Staskunas and Garey Bies and State Senators Lena Taylor and Rob Cowles for their leadership on this legislation and shepherding it through the legislative process.  I would also like to thank Governor Doyle for signing this legislation.

DNA analysis can lead to the identification and successful prosecution of offenders even in cases that are otherwise without leads.  This bill can assist all of us in continuing to improve the Department of Justice Crime Lab DNA data bank and strengthen crime fighting in this state.

This bill would clarify that offenders are required to provide a specimen in all instances when a court is directed to order the offender to provide a specimen and that the obligation to provide a specimen is ongoing.  In addition, it closes loopholes where offenders are required to give a sample, including those who were found not guilty by reason of mental defect.  This bill also specifies that the current misdemeanor conviction for failure to provide a specimen includes the requirement to provide a specimen and creates a non-criminal process to obtain a court order to compel an offender no longer in custody to provide a specimen.