Connecticut House Bill HB05039

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/5/11
• Refer: 1/5/11

Caption

An Act Requiring Dna Testing Of Certain Arrested Persons.

Impact

The impact of HB 05039 is primarily centered on its implications for both criminal justice procedures and individual privacy rights. By requiring DNA collection after a person's third arrest, the bill seeks to create a comprehensive database of genetic information that could assist in identifying suspects in future criminal investigations. Supporters of the bill argue that it will provide law enforcement with a critical tool for solving crimes, potentially lowering crime rates and increasing public safety. However, the bill may also raise concerns regarding the ethical implications of mandatory DNA collection and its impact on civil liberties.

Summary

House Bill 05039, introduced by Representative Hovey, proposes an amendment to Connecticut's General Statutes regarding DNA testing for certain individuals arrested for crimes. Specifically, the bill mandates that a DNA sample must be collected from a person upon their third arrest for any offense that carries the potential for imprisonment. The bill aims to enhance the identification of repeat offenders and improve the overall efficiency of law enforcement in solving crimes by linking DNA evidence to individuals with a history of criminal activity.

Contention

Opponents of HB 05039 may highlight the potential for abuse of power in the collection and storage of DNA samples, arguing that such policies disproportionately affect marginalized communities and could lead to unjust profiling. There may also be debates surrounding the adequacy of current privacy protections for biological samples collected under this law. Furthermore, the lack of provisions on how long DNA samples should be retained and the procedures for handling potential errors or misuse of DNA data would likely be points of contention during discussions regarding the bill's implementation.