On Friday June 25th Governor John Lynch signed HB 523 into law, making it a requirement that DNA be taken from all convicted felons. This bill has been a high priority for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. According to Coalition Public Policy Director Amanda Grady, “This critical new law will close a loophole in our current statutes that allow certain convicted sexual predators against children to avoid having their DNA placed into our National Database. DNA collection of all convicted felons will provide law enforcement with the ability to bring individuals to justice who are responsible for crimes that would have otherwise remained unsolved.”
Passage of this bill would not have been possible without powerful testimony from the families of two murder victims. In October Karen Foster told the House Criminal Justice Committee that she credits the DNA database (CODIS) with finding Kenneth Dion, the man now charged with killing her daughter Bonnie Craig. Karen travelled to New Hampshire to testify on behalf of this bill this past fall and she personally spoke with several lawmakers by phone. According to Karen Foster this law will save lives and prevent future families from feeling her pain, “Living with the thought that someone was getting away with murder and possibly committing heinous acts against others is a living hell,” said Foster. “DNA on all felony convictions will save New Hampshire money. It will help balance the scales of justice and it will help protect the innocent and keep them out of prison.”
Also testifying on behalf of this bill was the family of murder victim Kathy Lynn Gloddy. The Gloddy family, who recently successfully lobbied for the passage of a bill to create a Cold Case Unit, hopes that DNA can play a role in solving the 1971 murder of their 13 year old sister Kathy. Janet Gloddy Young spoke at the bill signing on Friday saying, "Today is a happy day for my family. With the signing of this bill into law, we know that law enforcement will be assisted in finding a suspect faster. This bill will help stop repeat offenders before they can commit further crimes. This bill will help free innocent people who are in jail for a crime that they didn't commit. And this bill can help find answers to the questions of families who have gone too long without answers."
Governor John Lynch says the new law gives law enforcement another important tool to solve crimes. "This new law helps us get even tougher on crime. It also sends a strong message to victims and their families that we care about them, and we are doing what we can to protect public safety in New Hampshire," Governor Lynch said.
Representatives David Welch and Steven Shurtleff sponsored the new law. The legislation received strong support from the NH Association of Chiefs of Police, the NH Police Association, and the State Department of Safety.
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Associated Press: Lynch signs bill expanding DNA tests
