SENATE
HOUSE
JOINT
BILL STATUS
STATE LAW
REPORTS
EDUCATIONAL
CONTACT
home
home
Enrolled Version - Final Version House Bill 3054 History

OTHER VERSIONS  -  Introduced Version  |  Committee Substitute  |    pdf  |  Email
Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
ENROLLED

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

H. B. 3054

(By Delegates Miley, Longstreth, Fleischauer,

Skaff, Hamilton, Sobonya and C. Miller)



[Passed March 12, 2011; in effect ninety days from passage.]



AN ACT to amend and reenact §15-2B-3, §15-2B-6, §15-2B-7, §15-2B-9, §15-2B-10 and §15-2B-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated §15-2B-15 and §15-2B-16, all relating to the collection and use of DNA data generally; providing for the collection of DNA samples from certain persons; providing for a penalty of contempt for a person refusing to furnish a DNA sample pursuant to a court order; and authorizing the West Virginia State Police to collect certain fees for DNA testing.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §15-2B-3, §15-2B-6, §15-2B-7, §15-2B-9, §15-2B-10 and §15-2B-12 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted; and that said code be amended by adding thereto two new sections, designated §15-2B-15 and §15-2B-16, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2B. DNA DATA.
§15-2B-3. Definitions.

As used in this article:
(1) "CODIS" means the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Combined DNA Index System that allows the storage and exchange of DNA records submitted by federal, state and local forensic DNA laboratories. The term "CODIS" includes the National DNA Index System administered and operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(2) "Conviction" includes convictions by a jury or court, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere.
(3) "Criminal justice agency" means an agency or institution of a federal, state or local government, other than the office of public defender, which performs as part of its principal function, relating to the apprehension, investigation, prosecution, adjudication, incarceration, supervision or rehabilitation of criminal offenders.
(4) "Division" means the West Virginia State Police.
(5) "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is located in the nucleus of cells and provides an individual's personal genetic blueprint. DNA encodes genetic information that is the basis of human heredity and forensic identification.
(6) "DNA record" means DNA identification information stored in any state DNA database pursuant to this article. The DNA record is the result obtained from DNA typing tests. The DNA record is comprised of the characteristics of a DNA sample which are of value in establishing the identity of individuals. The results of all DNA identification tests on an individual's DNA sample are also included as a "DNA record".
(7) "DNA sample" means a tissue, fluid or other bodily sample, suitable for testing, provided pursuant to this article or submitted to the division laboratory for analysis pursuant to a criminal investigation.
(8) "FBI" means the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(9) "Interim plan" means the plan used currently by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for Partial Match Protocol and to be adopted under the management rules of this article.
(10) "Management rules" means the rules promulgated by the West Virginia State Police that define all policy and procedures in the administration of this article.
(11) "Partial match" means that two DNA profiles, while not an exact match, share a sufficient number of characteristics to indicate the possibility of a biological relationship.
(l2) "Qualifying offense" means any felony offense as described in section six of this article or any offense requiring a person to register as a sex offender under this code or the federal law. For the purpose of this article, a person found not guilty of a qualifying offense by reason of insanity or mental disease or defect shall be required to provide a DNA sample in accordance with this article.
(13) "Registering Agency" means the West Virginia State Police.
(14) "State DNA database" means all DNA identification records included in the system administered by the West Virginia State Police.
(15) "State DNA databank" means the repository of DNA samples collected under the provisions of this article.
§15-2B-6. DNA sample required for DNA analysis upon conviction; DNA sample required for certain prisoners.

(a) Any person convicted of an offense described in section one, four, seven, nine, nine-a (when that offense constitutes a felony), ten, ten-a, ten-b, twelve, fourteen or fourteen-a, article two, chapter sixty-one of this code or section twelve, article eight of said chapter (when that offense constitutes a felony), shall provide a DNA sample to be used for DNA analysis as described in this article. Further, any person convicted of any offense described in article eight-b or eight-d of said chapter shall provide a DNA sample to be used for DNA analysis as described in this article.
(b) Any person presently incarcerated in a state correctional facility or in jail in this state after conviction of any offense listed in subsection (a) of this section shall provide a DNA sample to be used for purposes of DNA analysis as described in this article.
(c) Any person convicted of a violation of section five or thirteen, article two, chapter sixty-one of this code, section one, two, three, four, five, seven, eleven, twelve(when that offense constitutes a felony) or subsection (a), section thirteen, article three of said chapter, section three, four, five or ten, article three-e of said chapter or section three, article four of said chapter, shall provide a DNA sample to be used for DNA analysis as described in this article.
(d) Any person convicted of an offense which constitutes a felony violation of the provisions of article four, chapter sixty-a of this code; or of an attempt to commit a violation of section one or section fourteen-a, article two, chapter sixty-one of this code; or an attempt to commit a violation of article eight-b of said chapter shall provide a DNA sample to be used for DNA analysis as described in this article.
(e) The method of taking the DNA sample is subject to the testing methods used by the West Virginia State Police Crime Lab. The DNA sample will be collected using a postage paid DNA collection kit provided by the West Virginia State Police.
(f) When a person required to provide a DNA sample pursuant to this section refuses to comply, the state shall apply to a circuit court for an order requiring the person to provide a DNA sample. Upon a finding of failure to comply, the circuit court shall order the person to submit to DNA testing in conformity with the provisions of this article.
(g) The West Virginia State Police may, where not otherwise mandated, require any person convicted of a felony offense under the provisions of this code, to provide a DNA sample to be used for the sole purpose of criminal identification of the convicted person who provided the sample: Provided, That the person is under the supervision of the criminal justice system at the time the request for the sample is made. Supervision includes prison, the regional jail system, parole, probation, home confinement, community corrections program, and work release.
(h) On the effective date of the amendments to this section enacted during the regular session of the Legislature in 2011, any person required to register as a sex offender in this state and who has not already provided a DNA sample in accordance with this article, shall provide a DNA sample as determined by the registration agency in consultation with the West Virginia State Police Laboratory. The registering agency is responsible for the collection and submission of the sample under this article.
(i) When this state accepts a person from another state under any interstate compact, or under any other reciprocal agreement with any county, state or federal agency or any other provision of law whether or not the person is confined or released, the transferred person must submit a DNA sample, if the person was convicted of an offense in any other jurisdiction which would be considered a qualifying offense as defined in section six if committed in this state, or if the person was convicted of an equivalent offense in any other jurisdiction. The person shall provide the DNA sample in accordance with the rules of the custodial institution or supervising agency. If the transferred person has already submitted a DNA sample that can be found in the national database, the accepting agency is not required to draw a second DNA sample.
(j) If a person convicted of a qualifying offense is released without giving a DNA sample due to an oversight or error or because of the person's transfer from another jurisdiction, the person shall give a DNA sample for inclusion in the state DNA database after being notified of this obligation. Any such person may request a copy of the court order requiring the sample prior to the collection of the DNA sample.
§15-2B-7. Tests to be performed on DNA sample.
The tests to be performed on each DNA sample shall analyze and type the genetic markers contained in or derived from the DNA sample in accordance with rules promulgated under this article. Any rule regarding the typing and analysis of the DNA sample shall be consistent with any specifications required by federal law.
§15-2B-9. Procedures for withdrawal of blood sample for DNA analysis and for conducting analysis.
(a) Upon incarceration, the Division of Corrections, regional jails and felon facilities shall ensure that the DNA sample is collected from all persons described in section six of this article. When any person convicted of an offense described in section six is not incarcerated, the sheriff in the county where the person is convicted shall ensure that the DNA sample is collected from the person: Provided, That a DNA sample may be collected at a prison, regional facility or local hospital unit when so ordered by the sentencing court or other location determined by the sheriff.
(b) The Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police shall promulgate a legislative rule pursuant to chapter twenty-nine-a of this code establishing which persons may withdraw blood and further establishing procedures to withdraw blood. At a minimum, these procedures shall require that when blood is withdrawn for the purpose of DNA identification testing, a previously unused and sterile needle and sterile vessel shall be used, the withdrawal shall otherwise be in strict accord with accepted medical practices and in accordance with any recognized medical procedures employing universal precautions as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No civil liability attaches to any person when the blood was drawn according to recognized medical procedures employing the universal precautions. No person is relieved of liability for negligence in the drawing of blood for purposes of DNA testing.
(c) The Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police shall promulgate legislative rules pursuant to chapter twenty-nine-a of this code governing the procedures to be used in the collection of DNA samples, submission, identification, analysis and storage of DNA samples and typing results of DNA samples submitted under this article which shall be compatible with recognized federal standards.
(d) The agency having control, custody or supervision of persons convicted for qualifying offenses may, in consultation with and approval of the West Virginia State Police Laboratory, promulgate rules or policies specifying the time and manner of collection of the DNA samples as well as any other matter necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this article.
(e) The agency or institution having custody, control or providing supervision of persons convicted for qualifying offenses, as appropriate, is authorized to contract with third parties to provide for the collection of the DNA samples described in section six of this article.
(f) A person, convicted of a qualifying offense and not incarcerated in a facility described in subsection (a) of this section, who has been put on notice of his or her obligation to provide a DNA sample and has not submitted a court ordered DNA sample at the request of a law-enforcement agency, shall be responsible for notifying the agency designated in the court order and complying with that agency's directives for submitting a DNA sample. The person shall have thirty days from the receipt of the court order to comply unless there is a documented exception from the agency responsible for the DNA sample collection. A person refusing to comply with a court order directing that person submit a DNA sample may be considered in contempt.
(g) Any court sentencing a person convicted of a qualifying offense to probation, on or after the effective date of the amendments to this section enacted during the regular session of the Legislature in 2011, shall order, as a condition of such probation, that the convicted person report to the local sheriff's department to provide a DNA sample within thirty days.
§15-2B-10. DNA database exchange.
(a) The West Virginia State Police shall receive DNA samples, store, analyze, classify and file the DNA records consisting of all identification characteristics of DNA profiles from DNA samples submitted pursuant to the procedures for conducting DNA analysis of DNA samples.
(b) The West Virginia State Police may furnish DNA records to authorized law-enforcement and governmental agencies of the United States and its territories, of foreign countries duly authorized to receive them, of other states within the United States and of the State of West Virginia upon proper request stating that the DNA records requested will be used solely:
(1) For law enforcement identification purposes by criminal justice agencies;
(2) In judicial proceedings, if otherwise expressly permitted by state or federal laws;
(3) If personal identifying information is removed, for a population statistics database, for identification research and protocol development purposes, or for quality control purposes; or
(4) For the identification of unidentified human remains, missing persons and relatives of missing persons.
(c) The Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police shall promulgate legislative rules pursuant to chapter twenty-nine-a of this code governing the methods by which any law-enforcement agency or other authorized entity may obtain information from the state DNA database consistent with this section and federal law.
(d) The West Virginia State Police may release DNA samples, without personal identifying information, to any agency or entity with which the West Virginia State Police contracts pursuant to section five of this article.
(e) The West Virginia State Police may release DNA samples for criminal defense and appeal purposes, to a defendant who is entitled to access to samples and analysis performed in connection with the case in which the defendant is charged or was convicted.
(f) Searches of the state DNA database shall be performed in accordance with state and federal law and procedures.
§15-2B-12. Confidentiality; unauthorized uses of DNA databank; penalties.
(a) All DNA profiles and samples submitted to the West Virginia State Police pursuant to this article shall be treated as confidential except as provided in this article.
(b) Any person who, by virtue of employment or official position has possession of or access to individually identifiable DNA information contained in the state DNA database or databank and who willfully discloses it in any manner to any person or agency not entitled to receive it is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500 or confined in jail for a period not to exceed one year, or both fined and confined.
(c) Any person who, without authorization, willfully obtains individually identifiable DNA information from the state DNA database or databank is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500 or confined in jail for a period not to exceed one year, or both fined and confined.
(d) DNA records and DNA samples submitted to the West Virginia State Police Laboratory pursuant to this article are exempt from disclosure under the provisions of article one, chapter twenty-nine-b of this code, or any other statutory provision or court opinion requiring the disclosure of public records.
(e) In case of a criminal proceeding, a request to access a person's DNA record must be made in accordance with rules for criminal discovery as provided in the West Virginia Code and the Rules of Criminal Procedure. The West Virginia State Police Laboratory is not required to provide, for criminal discovery purposes, more than the DNA profile(s) and identifying information generated as a result of the search that led to the match between the case evidence and the defendant.
§15-2B-15. Collection of fees to cover the cost of DNA profile entry into the DNA database and DNA databank; cost of collecting and analyzing DNA sample.
For persons convicted after July 1, 2011, a mandatory fee of $150, which is in addition to any other costs imposed pursuant to statutory authority, shall automatically be assessed on any person convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for, a qualifying offense, unless the court finds that undue hardship would result. This fee shall be collected by the sentencing court or the agency responsible for the collection of the DNA sample and remitted to the State Treasury on or before the tenth of every month. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, all moneys collected as a result of this fee shall be deposited in a special account within the State Treasury to be known as the "West Virginia State Police DNA Database Account" to be administered by the Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police. Expenditures from the fund are authorized from collections for purposes associated with the processing of DNA samples for the DNA database.
§15-2B-16. Partial matches and the DNA database.
The division may use the data in the DNA database for partial match analysis for criminal investigations of murder, kidnapping and first and second degree sexual assault, as defined in this code, where all investigated leads have been exhausted. The division shall follow the standards and procedures defined in the Interim Plan when replying to requests for partial match information from criminal justice agencies from within or outside the state until such time as the division promulgates management rules.
This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information.  |  Terms of Use  |   Email WebmasterWebmaster   |   © 2024 West Virginia Legislature **


X

Print On Demand

Name:
Email:
Phone:

Print