SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 226

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 2, 1996

      The Senate Judiciary Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 226.

      Under the provisions of P.L.1994, c.136 (one of the package of bills known as "Megan's Law") persons convicted of certain sexual offenses are required to provide samples of blood for DNA profiling and use in connection with subsequent criminal investigations. S-226 would make convicted sexual offenders responsible for the cost of DNA testing. In order to ensure that the cost of this testing is collected, this bill authorizes the State to place a lien against the property and income of the sexual offender for the total cost of the DNA testing. This bill also sets forth the procedures for the filing of such liens, which would have priority over all unrecorded encumbrances except for any restitution, assessments or fines imposed.

      The committee adopted amendments which are technical in nature and would delete language from the bill which is unnecessary in view of the enactment of P.L.1994, c.136. These amendments would also link the provisions of the bill to the existing procedures set forth in P.L.1994, c.136.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.