Reunion Online

The New York State Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Steve Saland (R-I-C, Poughkeepsie) and Senator Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), for the largest expansion of the state’s DNA databank since it was created in 1994. The legislation mirrors the databank expansion plan proposed by Governor Cuomo in his Executive Budget to require people convicted of all felonies, as well as all misdemeanors in the penal law to submit DNA samples.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed making New York State the first state in the country to expand its DNA database to include anyone who has been convicted of a crime. In his annual State of the State Address, Cuomo said he would seek to expand the database to cover all crimes which would result in preventing future crimes and would help exonerate wrongfully accused individuals.

"I am 100% confident that of the elected DA's across the state will be supportive of this legislation," said Broome County District Attorney Gerry Mollen as he gathered with local law enforcement leaders Tuesday to voice their support for Governor Andrew Cuomo's All Crimes DNA Bill.

Actress Mariska Hargitay is urging politicians to support the possible expansion of the U.S. Dna registry, so real-life detectives would be able to solve assault, abuse and murder cases faster.

New York law enforcement officials are pushing for a major expansion to the state's DNA databank. If approved, the state would require those convicted of misdemeanor crimes to submit DNA samples just like felony convicts already do.