Area law enforcement leaders line up behind move to expand state's DNA databank

Law enforcement leaders from across the region joined New York State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico in Elmira yesterday to express their strong support for legislation to expand New York's DNA databank.

Read more in this morning's Corning Leader, and Elmira Star-Gazette.

In late January the Senate approved legislation (S.5560) co-sponsored by Senator O’Mara that, if enacted, would mark the largest expansion of the state’s DNA databank since it was created in 1994. The Senate legislation mirrors an expansion plan recently proposed by New York Governor Andrew Governor Cuomo to require people convicted of all felonies, as well as all misdemeanors in the penal law to submit DNA samples.  Currently in New York, DNA is only collected in approximately 46 percent of crimes.

You can show your support for the expansion of the DNA databank through the Senate's online "Join The Fight" petition.