Attorney General Jon Bruning today applauded the Legislature’s passage of LB 190 and its accompanying appropriations bill, LB 190A.  The bill expands the state’s collection of DNA samples to include all those convicted of a felony, including those currently in prison and on parole.

 

The Attorney General’s Office worked with Sen. Bill Avery of Lincoln, who introduced this legislation in last year’s session. Funding concerns delayed the bill’s passage until this year.

 

“The value of this bill is the potential it creates to close a host of cold cases and to clear the wrongfully convicted,” Sen. Avery said.

 

“By expanding the DNA database, law enforcement will have an even stronger tool to help identify suspects,” Bruning said. “As we’ve seen recently in Beatrice, this law will also help eliminate people as suspects.”

 

DNA evidence cleared six people in the 1985 death of Helen Wilson in Beatrice. DNA was also pivotal in the conviction of Jeffrey Glazebrook, a 32-year-old cold case murder.

 

Under the provisions of LB190, DNA samples will be collected from everyone convicted of a felony, including those already in prison or on parole. These samples will be entered into law enforcement databases, for comparison against samples collected at crime scenes.

 

Felons charged after the bill takes effect will be required to pay for the samples, which cost approximately $25-$30.

 

The estimated two-year cost of $325,000 to test those currently incarcerated or on parole will be paid for through settlement money and grant dollars. No state general funds are required.

 

“I want to thank Sen. Avery for introducing this important piece of legislation,” Bruning said. “I’m glad we were able to help find the funding to make it a reality.”

 

With the passage of LB190, only Idaho and New Hampshire remain as states that do not collect DNA samples from all felons. Previously, Nebraska only collected DNA from sex offenders and for a limited number of felonies: Kidnapping, incest, murder, manslaughter, stalking, burglary and robbery.

 

LB190 passed on a 47 to 0 vote. LB190A passed on a 46 to 0 vote.