130th Ohio General Assembly
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As Passed by the House

122nd General Assembly
Regular Session
1997-1998
Am. Sub. S. B. No. 140

SENATORS LATTA-LATELL-HERINGTON-BLESSING-CUPP-HOWARD- McLIN-GARDNER-
REPRESENTATIVES WILLAMOWSKI-GARCIA-TAYLOR- MASON-HAINES-GRENDELL-SCHULER-REID-BRADING-OLMAN- HARRIS-PERZ-CORBIN-ROMAN-OPFER-KRUPINSKI-WILSON-VESPER- O'BRIEN-METZGER-PRENTISS-COLONNA-SULZER-VERICH-HOUSEHOLDER


A BILL
To amend sections 109.573 and 313.08 of the Revised Code to require coroners to submit DNA specimens, photographs, and fingerprints of unidentified dead bodies to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation for inclusion in its unidentified person database, to authorize the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to establish a relatives of missing persons database and to compare the relatives of missing persons database with the unidentified person database, and to require the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to notify the coroner or law enforcement agency that submitted an unidentified person's DNA specimen if the person is identified.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:


Section 1. That sections 109.573 and 313.08 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 109.573. (A) As used in this section:

(1) "DNA" means human deoxyribonucleic acid.

(2) "DNA analysis" means a laboratory analysis of a DNA specimen to identify DNA characteristics and to create a DNA record.

(3) "DNA database" means a collection of DNA records from forensic casework or from crime scenes, specimens from anonymous and unidentified sources, and records collected pursuant to sections 2151.315 and 2901.07 of the Revised Code and a population statistics database for determining the frequency of occurrence of characteristics in DNA records.

(4) "DNA record" means the objective result of a DNA analysis of a DNA specimen, including representations of DNA fragment lengths, digital images of autoradiographs, discrete allele assignment numbers, and other DNA specimen characteristics that aid in establishing the identity of an individual.

(5) "DNA specimen" includes human blood cells or physiological tissues or body fluids.

(6) "Unidentified person database" means a collection of DNA records, AND, ON AND AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS AMENDMENT, OF FINGERPRINT AND PHOTOGRAPH RECORDS, of unidentified human corpses, human remains, or living individuals.

(7) "RELATIVES OF MISSING PERSONS DATABASE" MEANS A COLLECTION OF DNA RECORDS OF PERSONS RELATED BY CONSANGUINITY OF THE FIRST DEGREE TO A MISSING PERSON.

(8) "Law enforcement agency" means a police department, the office of a sheriff, the state highway patrol, a county prosecuting attorney, or a federal, state, or local governmental body that enforces criminal laws and that has employees who have a statutory power of arrest.

(B)(1) The superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation may do all of the following:

(a) Establish and maintain a state DNA laboratory to perform DNA analysis of DNA specimens;

(b) Establish and maintain a DNA database;

(c) Establish and maintain an unidentified person database to aid in the establishment of the identity of unknown human corpses, human remains, or living individuals;

(d) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A RELATIVES OF MISSING PERSONS DATABASE FOR COMPARISON WITH THE UNIDENTIFIED PERSON DATABASE TO AID IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IDENTITY OF UNKNOWN HUMAN CORPSES, HUMAN REMAINS, AND LIVING INDIVIDUALS.

(2) If the bureau of criminal identification and investigation establishes and maintains a DNA laboratory and a DNA database, the bureau may use or disclose information regarding DNA records for the following purposes:

(a) The bureau may disclose information to a law enforcement agency for purposes of identification.

(b) The bureau shall disclose pursuant to a court order issued under section 3111.09 of the Revised Code any information necessary to determine the existence of a parent and child relationship in an action brought under sections 3111.01 to 3111.19 of the Revised Code.

(c) The bureau may use or disclose information from the population statistics database, for identification research and protocol development, or for quality control purposes.

(3) IF THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION ESTABLISHES AND MAINTAINS A RELATIVES OF MISSING PERSONS DATABASE, ALL OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY:

(a) IF A PERSON HAS DISAPPEARED AND HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY ABSENT FROM THE PERSON'S PLACE OF LAST DOMICILE FOR A THIRTY-DAY OR LONGER PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT BEING HEARD FROM DURING THE PERIOD, PERSONS RELATED BY CONSANGUINITY OF THE FIRST DEGREE TO THE MISSING PERSON MAY SUBMIT TO THE BUREAU A DNA SPECIMEN, THE BUREAU MAY INCLUDE THE DNA RECORD OF THE SPECIMEN IN THE RELATIVES OF MISSING PERSONS DATABASE, AND, IF THE BUREAU DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DNA RECORD OF THE SPECIMEN IN THE RELATIVES OF MISSING PERSONS DATABASE, THE BUREAU SHALL RETAIN THE DNA RECORD FOR FUTURE REFERENCE AND INCLUSION AS APPROPRIATE IN THAT DATABASE.

(b) THE BUREAU SHALL NOT CHARGE A FEE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF A DNA SPECIMEN PURSUANT TO DIVISION (B)(3)(a)OF THIS SECTION.

(c) A PHYSICIAN, REGISTERED NURSE, LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE, DULY LICENSED CLINICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN, OR OTHER QUALIFIED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER SHALL CONDUCT THE COLLECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE DNA SPECIMEN SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO DIVISION (B)(3)(a)OF THIS SECTION AND SHALL COLLECT THE DNA SPECIMEN IN A MEDICALLY APPROVED MANNER. NO LATER THAN FIFTEEN DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE COLLECTION OF THE DNA SPECIMEN, THE PERSON CONDUCTING THE DNA SPECIMEN COLLECTION PROCEDURE SHALL CAUSE THE DNA SPECIMEN TO BE FORWARDED TO THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BUREAU UNDER DIVISION (H) OF THIS SECTION. THE BUREAU MAY PROVIDE THE SPECIMEN VIALS, MAILING TUBES, LABELS, POSTAGE, AND INSTRUCTION NEEDED FOR THE COLLECTION AND FORWARDING OF THE DNA SPECIMEN TO THE BUREAU.

(d) THE SUPERINTENDENT, IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DISCRETION, MAY COMPARE DNA RECORDS IN THE RELATIVES OF MISSING PERSONS DATABASE WITH THE DNA RECORDS IN THE UNIDENTIFIED PERSON DATABASE.

(4) IF THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION ESTABLISHES AND MAINTAINS AN UNIDENTIFIED PERSON DATABASE AND IF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BUREAU IDENTIFIES A MATCHING DNA RECORD FOR THE DNA RECORD OF A PERSON OR DECEASED PERSON WHOSE DNA RECORD IS CONTAINED IN THE UNIDENTIFIED PERSON DATABASE, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL INFORM THE CORONER WHO SUBMITTED OR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT SUBMITTED THE DNA SPECIMEN TO THE BUREAU OF THE MATCH AND, IF POSSIBLE, OF THE IDENTITY OF THE UNIDENTIFIED PERSON.

(5) The bureau of criminal identification and investigation may enter into a contract with a qualified public or private laboratory to perform DNA analyses, DNA specimen maintenance, preservation, and storage, DNA record keeping, and other duties required of the bureau under this section. A public or private laboratory under contract with the bureau shall follow quality assurance and privacy requirements established by the superintendent of the bureau.

(C) The superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall establish procedures for entering into the DNA database the DNA records submitted pursuant to sections 2151.315 and 2901.07 of the Revised Code and for determining an order of priority for entry of the DNA records based on the types of offenses committed by the persons whose records are submitted and the available resources of the bureau.

(D) When a DNA record is derived from a DNA specimen provided pursuant to section 2151.315 or 2901.07 of the Revised Code, the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall attach to the DNA record personal identification information that identifies the person from whom the DNA specimen was taken. The personal identification information may include the subject person's fingerprints and any other information the bureau determines necessary. The DNA record and personal identification information attached to it shall be used only for the purpose of personal identification or for a purpose specified in this section.

(E) DNA records and, DNA specimens, FINGERPRINTS, AND PHOTOGRAPHS that the bureau OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION receives pursuant to this section and sections 313.08, 2151.315, and 2901.07 of the Revised Code and personal identification information attached to a DNA record are not public records under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(F) The bureau of criminal identification and investigation may charge a reasonable fee for providing information pursuant to this section to any law enforcement agency located in another state.

(G)(1) No person who because of the person's employment or official position has access to a DNA specimen, a DNA record, or other information contained in the DNA database that identifies an individual shall knowingly disclose that specimen, record, or information to any person or agency not entitled to receive it or otherwise shall misuse that specimen, record, or information.

(2) No person without authorization or privilege to obtain information contained in the DNA database that identifies an individual person shall purposely obtain that information.

(H) The superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall establish procedures for all of the following:

(1) The forwarding TO THE BUREAU of DNA specimens collected pursuant to DIVISION (H) OF THIS SECTION AND sections 313.08, 2151.315, and 2901.07 of the Revised Code to the bureau AND OF FINGERPRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS COLLECTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 313.08 of the Revised Code;

(2) The collection, maintenance, preservation, and analysis of DNA specimens;

(3) The creation, maintenance, and operation of the DNA database;

(4) The use and dissemination of information from the DNA database;

(5) THE CREATION, MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATION OF THE UNIDENTIFIED PERSON DATABASE;

(6) THE USE AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION FROM THE UNIDENTIFIED PERSON DATABASE;

(7) THE CREATION, MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATION OF THE RELATIVES OF MISSING PERSONS DATABASE;

(8) THE USE AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION FROM THE RELATIVES OF MISSING PERSONS DATABASE;

(9) The verification of entities requesting DNA records and other DNA information from the bureau and the authority of the entity to receive the information;

(6)(10) The operation of the bureau and responsibilities of employees of the bureau with respect to the activities described in this section.

Sec. 313.08. (A) In counties in which a county morgue is maintained, the coroner shall be the official custodian thereof OF THE MORGUE.

In all cases of the finding of a dead THE body OF A DECEASED PERSON within such A county IN WHICH A COUNTY MORGUE IS MAINTAINED, when the identity of such THE deceased person is unknown, or his THE DECEASED PERSON'S relatives or other persons entitled to the custody of the body OF THE DECEASED PERSON are unknown or not present, such THE body shall be removed to the county morgue, where it shall be held for identification and disposal.

(B) IF THE BODY OF A DECEASED PERSON IS NOT IDENTIFIED, A CORONER SHALL DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING PRIOR TO DISPOSING OF THE BODY:

(1) TAKE THE FINGERPRINTS OF THE BODY OF THE DECEASED PERSON, OR CAUSE THE SAME TO BE TAKEN, ACCORDING TO THE FINGERPRINT SYSTEM OF IDENTIFICATION ON THE FORMS FURNISHED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION;

(2) TAKE OR CAUSE TO BE TAKEN ONE OR MORE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE BODY OF THE DECEASED PERSON;

(3) COLLECT IN A MEDICALLY APPROVED MANNER A DNA SPECIMEN FROM THE BODY OF THE DECEASED PERSON;

(4) PROMPTLY CAUSE THE FINGERPRINTS, THE PHOTOGRAPHS, AND THE DNA SPECIMEN TO BE FORWARDED TO THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION FOR INCLUSION IN THE UNIDENTIFIED PERSON DATABASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BUREAU UNDER DIVISION (H) OF SECTION 109.573 OF THE REVISED CODE. THE BUREAU SHALL PROVIDE THE FINGERPRINT FORMS, SPECIMEN VIALS, MAILING TUBES, LABELS, POSTAGE, AND INSTRUCTION NEEDED FOR THE COLLECTION AND FORWARDING TO THE BUREAU OF THE FINGERPRINTS AND THE DNA SPECIMEN AND FOR THE FORWARDING TO THE BUREAU OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS.

(C) UPON THE REQUEST OF A CORONER WHO HAS THE DUTY TO TAKE, OR CAUSE THE TAKING OF, FINGERPRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS UNDER DIVISIONS (B)(1) AND (2) OF THIS SECTION, THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION SHALL TAKE, OR ASSIST IN THE TAKING OF, THE REQUIRED FINGERPRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS.

(D) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, "DNA SPECIMEN" AND "UNIDENTIFIED PERSON DATABASE" HAVE THE SAME MEANINGS AS IN SECTION 109.573 OF THE REVISED CODE.


Section 2. That existing sections 109.573 and 313.08 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
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