Bill Text: HI SB2128 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Retention; Biological Evidence
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2014-03-07 - Referred to JUD, referral sheet 29 [SB2128 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-SB2128-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2128 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the retention of biological evidence.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 844D-126, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§844D-126[]]
Retention of biological evidence. (a) All evidence in the custody or
control of a police department, prosecuting attorney, laboratory, or court [that
is] shall be retained if the evidence:
(1) Is related to the investigation or prosecution of a case in which there has been a judgment of conviction for:
(A) Murder;
(B) Manslaughter;
(C) Kidnapping;
(D) Sexual assault in the first degree;
(E) Sexual assault in the second degree;
(F) Assault in the first degree; or
(G) An attempt or criminal
conspiracy to commit one of these offenses; and [that may contain]
(2) Contains biological evidence that could be used for DNA analysis to reasonably do the following:
(A) Establish the identity of the person who committed the offense for which there was the judgment of conviction; or
(B) Exclude a person from the group of persons who could have committed the offense for which there was the judgment of conviction.
(b) The evidence shall be retained at least until the later occurring of either:
(1) The exhaustion of all appeals of the case to which the evidence is related; or
(2) The completion of any sentence, including any term of probation or parole, imposed on the defendant in the case to which the evidence relates.
[(b) The attorney general shall establish
procedures and protocols, which shall be uniform throughout the State, for the
collection and preservation of evidence retained pursuant to this section.]
(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) to the contrary, an agency may dispose of evidence retained pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), if the agency files a notification of proposed disposal of the evidence with the court, and either the defendant does not file an objection to the notification, or if the defendant does file an objection, the court allows the disposal of the evidence. The filed notification shall be served upon the defendant against whom the judgment of conviction was filed and the defendant's attorney of record. The notification shall include a description of the evidence and a statement that an objection by the defendant shall be filed in writing within ninety days of the date of service of the notification upon the defendant. The agency may dispose of the evidence if an objection to the notification of proposed disposal is not filed within the ninety-day period.
(d) If the defendant files an objection to the notification of proposed disposal with the court, the court shall schedule a hearing on the objection. If, after a hearing, the court determines by a preponderance of the evidence that:
(1) The identity of the defendant, as the perpetrator of the offense that resulted in the judgment of conviction, was at issue; and
(2) The evidence contains biological evidence that could be used for DNA analysis to reasonably establish the identity of the person who committed the offense for which the defendant was convicted, or exclude a person from the group of persons who could have committed the offense for which the defendant was convicted,
then the court may order the agency to retain the evidence for the period specified in subsection (b), or if appropriate, the court may order that the agency may dispose of the evidence after taking reasonable measures to preserve the biological evidence contained on the evidence. If, after the hearing, the court is unable to make either of those findings, then the court shall allow the agency to dispose of the evidence."
SECTION 2. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Retention; Biological Evidence
Description:
Amends guidelines and limitations for the post-conviction retention of biological evidence by law enforcement agencies and the courts. Provides procedures for agencies to dispose of retained evidence and for defendants to file objections to proposed disposals.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
