Senator Plowman Submits Legislation to Expand Collection and Submission of DNA of Sexual Offenders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JANUARY 30, 2007

AUGUSTA – On Monday, January 29, Senator Debra Plowman (R-Hampden) appeared before the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety to testify on behalf of her bill to expand the collection and submission of DNA samples with respect to sexual offenders in Maine. The new samples would be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s national DNA identification index system, which collects samples from offenders in all 50 states.

“Currently, Maine law covers felonies and violent sexual assaults, but sexual offenses that are charged as misdemeanors do not trigger the submission,” Sen. Plowman explained.

If approved, her bill would add five previously omitted charges to the list of offenses that would require a DNA sample be submitted to the national database. New charges would include patronizing the prostitution of a minor, possessing sexually explicit material featuring a minor and criminal restraint. “As a sex offender grows bolder and commits more violent offenses, this information becomes crucial in protecting any future victims the offender may have, and getting the offender off the streets,” Sen. Plowman said.

Sen. Plowman noted that the current program in Maine is completely funded by federal dollars, but the level of funding does not fully meet the needs of the existing system. To date, Maine is about 18 months, or 1,500 to 2,000 samples behind, and if approved, the Senator’s bill would require approximately 50 more samples be submitted each year. She suggested that other funding sources might be needed in order to reduce the significant backlog and accommodate any increase in sample submissions.

“We might be able to catch up if we added an extra $50.00 assessment for sexual offenders to the Victim’s Reimbursement Fund,” The Senator suggested. “This assessment would secure the necessary funding without taking away taxpayer monies.” She continued, “I was greatly heartened by the committee’s concern and response to this situation. The recognition of the backlog by the committee will go a long way towards getting this resolved.”

Senator Debra Plowman, of Hampden, represents District 33 which includes parts of Penobscot County. She can be reached in Augusta at 287-1505, in Hampden at 862-4506, or by e-mail at debraplowman@cs.com.

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