Des Moines, IOWA — As the start of the new fiscal year is upon us, many members of the public and media are taking note of new laws passed during the last legislative session that may impact their lives.
Recent reporting on HF 527 and its provisions for the collection of DNA, have directly or indirectly communicated that the new law takes effect today. This is erroneous. As is articulated in the full bill, the act takes effect July 1, 2014.
With this in mind, members of the media and public should know that the collection of DNA samples from those individuals convicted of an Aggravated Misdemeanor will not begin until this time next year.
The State Criminalistics Laboratory of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) will be reaching out to law enforcement agencies over the next 12 months, to ensure they are fully informed of the new law and its provisions.
