H-2803.1  _______________________________________________

                 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 4412

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Miloscia, Ballasiotes and O'Brien

Read first time 4/22/99.

Creating a joint select committee to address the potential uses and concerns of DNA identification.

    WHEREAS, The technology of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) identification is of great potential benefit to the citizens of this state in many fields, including health care, scientific research, and criminal justice; and

    WHEREAS, DNA technology is changing and improving at an ever-increasing rate; and

    WHEREAS, DNA technology is particularly important in assisting law enforcement in identifying and apprehending repeat criminal offenders as well as exonerating those people falsely convicted of a crime; and

    WHEREAS, There are legitimate concerns for privacy rights in the creation, collection, maintenance, disclosure, identification, and use of DNA; and

    WHEREAS, There is a need to address the potential future uses of DNA that may benefit citizens of this state;

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives of the state of Washington, the Senate concurring, That a joint select committee on DNA identification be established to review the following: DNA use, DNA identification, DNA testing, DNA data banking, DNA technology, DNA research, and DNA privacy issues; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee consist of eight members, two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Co-Speakers of the House of Representatives.  The committee shall choose its chair and vice-chair from among its membership; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee, where feasible, may consult with individuals from the public and private sector; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee shall use legislative facilities and staff from Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 1999; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee shall expire July 1, 2000.

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