2000-01-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 2009
SB 201                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 201 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act relating to violations of an order to submit                           
to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing, to court                               
orders and conditions of parole to collect samples                             
for DNA testing, to removal of material from the                               
DNA identification registration system; and to the                             
collection and processing of samples from certain                              
burglary perpetrators for the DNA identification                               
registration system; and providing for an effective                            
date.                                                                          
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance              
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
Indeterminate fiscal note published today from Department of                   
Administration. Zero fiscal note published today from Department of            
Public Safety.                                                                 
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated January 18:                                 
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
Using DNA identification is an increasingly effective tool for law             
enforcement investigation. This bill I transmit today expands the              
state's ability to use this method for detecting and abating the               
conviction of serious crimes by allowing the state to obtain DNA               
samples from convicted burglars.                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               

2000-01-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 2010
SB 201                                                                       
In 1995 Alaska adopted a DNA identification registration system.               
In this program persons convicted of most felony offenses against a            
person, and minors 16 years of age or older adjudicated delinquent             
for similar crimes, must provide a DNA sample to the Department                
of Public Safety for testing. Most other states in the country have a          
similar system of obtaining DNA samples from persons convicted of              
serious crimes. Since 1995 the technology and research into the uses           
of this information has grown rapidly. Research in other states into           
the  criminal  history  of  persons convicted of homicide and serious          
sexual assault has shown that over half the persons convicted of               
homicide or sexual assault were convicted of burglary before their             
convictions for the more serious crimes. DNA information from                  
burglary convictions would be invaluable to law enforcement in the             
investigation of subsequent, more serious crimes against a person.             
                                                                               
The bill also allows juvenile and adult correctional, probation, and           
parole officers and peace officers to collect oral DNA samples. The            
collection technology has improved so that a simple, inexpensive,              
non-obtrusive kit allows the tested person to take an oral swab                
without the need of a medical professional. If a blood sample is               
required, it would still be taken by a medical professional.                   
                                                                               
Penalties are provided for failure to cooperate with these sample              
requests. The bill also clarifies the procedures for removal of DNA            
material from the identification registration system, specifying that a        
court order is necessary for such removal.                                     
                                                                               
I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this bill.                   
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Tony Knowles                                                              
					Governor