House approves bill requiring DNA samples from offenders

February 18, 2008

OLYMPIA – A House bill to widely expand the state’s DNA offender database won approval today by a vote of 80 to 15.

Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, is the prime sponsor of the bill to make communities safer by putting offenders on notice that they will be found if they reoffend.

“We have the technology to better track these sex offenders, to deter them from committing new crimes,” Seaquist said.  “Passing this bill into law will make our state safer for families and harder for offenders to continue committing their heinous acts.”

Seaquist’s DNA collection legislation, House Bill 2713, is Gov. Gregoire-request legislation, spurred by the Sex Offender Task Force recommendations released last year.

Several new crimes are added to the list of offenses requiring a mandatory DNA sample be taken.  Previously-convicted and future offenders will be subject to the expanded sampling law.

“By increasing our state DNA database, we’ll solve more crimes and bring relief to the families of victims,” Seaquist said.  “This bill will have wide-ranging benefits for the public safety of our state.”

Seaquist believes an expanded DNA database will also allow law enforcement to solve crimes quicker, freeing up hours to focus on other crimes.  The Washington State Patrol maintains the database. 

Companion legislation has already cleared the Senate, where Seaquist’s bill now goes for consideration.