ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 226

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 10, 1997

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 226 (1R).

      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. This bill 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.

      This bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 351 (1R).