AACOP just received notice of last year's State Legislative action on HOUSE BILL NO. 316:
'"An Act relating to post-conviction DNA testing, to the preservation of certain evidence, and to the DNA identification registration system; relating to post-conviction relief procedures; relating to representation by the public defender; amending Rule 35.1, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date."
This law is now in effect. Among other items, it;
(1) Requires the retention of biological materials in all felony person crimes cases resulting in conviction for much longer periods of time than required in the past;
(2) Requires all enforcement agencies statewide to develop written policies concerning the removal and preservation of biological samples from seized evidentiary items; and
(3) Requires a newly created task force to recommend standards and protocols regarding the matter.
As to point (3), the Alaska Department of Law will be holding an informational and organizational meeting at the upcoming APOA conference, on Monday afternoon, May 16th to begin the efforts of creating the task force. Public safety is expressly included and plays a key roll in the Task Force. All AACOP members are encourage to plan to attend this meeting.
Additional information will be posted as received, but to review a copy of this law, Please check the discussion forum within our "Members Only" section.
