HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 79

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas A. Anderson

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY AND DESIRABILITY OF REQUIRING EVERY NEW MEXICAN TO PROVIDE A DNA SAMPLE TO THE STATE.

     WHEREAS, society has benefited from the use of DNA to help solve crimes, clear wrongly accused and convicted suspects and identify unknown persons; and

     WHEREAS, DNA has become more useful than the use of fingerprints to identify people; and

     WHEREAS, people are reluctant to routinely provide a DNA sample for a variety of reasons, including the stigma associated with it because of its use in the criminal justice system, the potential for misuse of genetic information contained within DNA and the value that individuals place on their personal privacy; and

     WHEREAS, if the appropriate safeguards were in place, the routine provision by all New Mexicans of DNA samples to the state could have many benefits;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate interim committee to study the potential benefits of requiring every New Mexican to provide a DNA sample and study the appropriate methods to implement that requirement; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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