Landmark Anti-Crime Bill Becomes Law / Senate, Assembly & Governor Join Forces to Expand Dna Databank

All-Crimes DNA Law a Powerful Crimefighting Tool To Help Protect New Yorkers

Senator Johnson announced a new law that will implement the largest expansion of the State’s DNA databank since it was first created in 1994. 

The databank expansion will help close thousands of unsolved cases, bring justice to crime victims, and help prevent dangerous criminals from committing additional crimes.

 “This is a huge victory for all New Yorkers concerned about protecting our communities and keeping our loved ones safe. This landmark legislation will help close thousands of unsolved cases, provide justice to crime victims and help prevent future crimes from taking place,” Senator Johnson said.

The new legislation requires anyone convicted of a felony or penal law misdemeanor to provide a DNA sample -- dramatically expanding the information pool used by law enforcement and prosecutors. 

 “By dramatically expanding the DNA databank, we are providing police and district attorneys with a powerful tool to solve crimes, prosecute sexual predators, and keep dangerous criminals off our streets,” the Senator Johnson added. 

Since its inception, the State’s DNA databank has transformed criminal investigations and prosecutions to make them more accurate and effective, in addition to helping exonerate the innocent.  

Up to this point, DNA has only been collected from fewer than half of convicted criminals because the previous law did not include certain crimes. This hampered the ability of law enforcement to solve crimes, and enabled some criminals to remain free to commit additional acts of violence.