Date: 02/14/2006
Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB06-150
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
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11:49 AM -- Senate Bill 06-150
Senator Grossman, prime sponsor, presented SB 06-150. The bill concerns DNA testing of all felons and expands DNA testing requirements to all adults convicted of a felony who are in custody or who are on parole or probation. The bill also extends DNA testing requirements to all juveniles who are adjudicated for an offense that would constitute a felony if committed by an adult, and as a result, are committed to the department of human services or placed in probation. It requires the CBI to store the biological substance to be tested until sufficient appropriations are made for chemical testing.
11:52 AM -- Dave Thomas and Mitch Morrissey, Colorado District Attorneys' Council, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Thomas stated that the County Sheriffs of Colorado also support the bill. He explained that DNA testing of evidence is an extremely accurate way of determining whether a suspect did or did not commit a crime. Mr. Thomas provided a fact sheet to the committee regarding DNA evidence (Attachment F). Mr. Morrissey discussed the prosecution of crimes using DNA evidence and the importance of DNA testing as a forensic tool. Mr. Morrissey also explained some of the information can be found in the DNA database maintained by the state of Colorado. He discussed the fact that individuals who are convicted of burglary often are not committed to the Department of Corrections. In those cases, DNA testing is not done. He explained a link between burglary and sex assault.
12:03 PM -- Catherine Hazouri, ACLU Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill. Ms. Hazouri spoke of DNA evidence as an invasion of the privacy of everyone in a suspect's bloodlines. The ACLU is also concerned about the future uses of DNA evidence. The committee discussed the ACLU's opposition to DNA evidence databases and their potential future uses.
12:10 PM -- Gregory Labarge, Denver Police Department Forensics Lab, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Labarge provided anecdotal evidence of cases where felons who were not tested at the time of their arrest were later matched to unsolved crimes. Mr. Labarge stated that the Denver Police Department supports this bill due to their success with using DNA evidence. The committee discussed the use of DNA evidence to exonerate suspects.
12:20 PM -- Peter Mang, CBI, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Mang spoke about the DNA database in Colorado and how it is an invaluable tool in solving criminal cases. He reiterated the fact that DNA evidence can be used both to convict individuals and to exonerate those who are innocent.
12:23 PM
Senator Grossman asked that the bill be laid over until Wednesday. He then adjourned the committee.