Seaquist bill expanding DNA sampling of criminals now law

March 21, 2008

Olympia – A measure adding new sex crimes to the list of offenses requiring DNA sampling was signed into law Thursday.

Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, is the prime sponsor of the legislation to significantly expand the number of DNA samples the state holds on criminals.

“These criminals will know that if they reoffend, that we will find them,” Seaquist said. “This law bolsters the criminal database and will make communities all over Washington safer.”

House Bill 2713 adds a range of new crimes to the database currently maintained by the Washington State Patrol, including fourth degree assault with sexual motivation, custodial sexual misconduct, violation of a sexual assault protection order, and failure to register as a sex offender.

“A bolstered DNA database will provide law enforcement with help monitoring and tracking sex offenders, which will help solve more crimes,” Seaquist said. “It’s my belief that having more criminals on file will act as a deterrent. Hopefully, this will mean less and crimes and much fewer victims.”

The DNA sampling bill is one of the strongest sex offender bills past in the last two years, Seaquist said. It not only will sample future convicted criminals, but also previous offenders.

“We know DNA sampling is an effective tool for law enforcement to keep our communities safe,” Seaquist said. “The more criminals we have on file, the better the system will work.”

Seaquist’s bill was requested by the governor and included in the Sex Offender Task Force’s recommendations issued last year.

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Staff contact - Andrew Dziedzic (360) 786-7218

House Bill 2713: apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=2713&year=2007

To obtain broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact House Caucus Broadcast Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786.7208.